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97 /-K 



THE ANABASIS, 



OR 



EXPEDITION OF CYRUS 



LITERALLY TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK 
OF 

• XENOPHON, 

^Y THE 

Rev. J. S. WATS©^, M.A., M.R.^.L. 



BOSTON: 
WILLARD SMALL 

1893. 



,» x 






V 7 



J. PARKHILL & CO., PRINTERS 
226 FRANKLIN STREET 
BOSTON 



CONTENTS. 



Anabasis, Book I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 



PAGE 

3 

57 



136 

184 
230 

269 



V 



XENOPHON'S 

ANABASIS, 



OR 



EXPEDITION OF CYRUS 



BOOK I. — CHAPTER I. 

Parentage of Cyrus the Younger. After the death of his father 
he is accused of plotting against his brother Artaxerxes, 
who imprisons him, but releases him on the intercession 
of his mother, and sends him back to his province, where 
he secretly collects forces, of which a large proportion are 
from Greece, to make war on his brother. 

l. Of Darius and Parysatis were born two 
sons, the elder Artaxerxes, and the younger 
Cyrus. After Darius had fallen sick, and sus- 
pected that the end of his life was approaching, 
he was desirous that both of his sons should 
attend him. 2. The elder then happened to be 
present ; Cyrus he sent for from the province of 
which he had made him satrap. He had also 
appointed him commander of all the forces that 
muster in the plain of Castolus. 

Cyrus accordingly went up, taking with him 
Tissaphernes as a friend, and having also with 
him three hundred heavy-armed Greeks, and 
Xenias of Parrhasia, their captain. 




4 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

3. But when Darius was dead, and Artaxerxes 
was placed upon the throne, Tissaphernes brought 
an accusation against Cyrus before his brother, 
saying that he was plotting against him. Artax- 
erxes was induced to give credit to it, and had 
Cyrus arrested, with the intention of putting him 
to death ; but his mother, having begged his life, 
sent him back to his province. 

4. When Cyrus had departed, after being thus 
in danger and disgrace, he began to consider by 
what means he might cease to be subject to his 
brother, and make himself king, if he could, in 
his stead. Parysatis, their mother, was well 
disposed towards Cyrus, as she loved him better 
than Artaxerxes, who was on the throne. 
5. Whatever messengers from the king came to 
visit him, he let none of them go till he had in- 
clined them to be friends to himself, rather than 
the monarch. He also paid such attention to 
the Barbarians that were with him, that they 
were in a condition to take the field, and well 
inclined towards himself. 6. His Greek force he 
collected as secretly as he could, that he might 
surprise the king as little prepared as possible. 

He collected troops in the following manner. 
Whatever garrisons he had in his towns, he sent 
orders to the commanders of them to procure 
respectively as many Peloponnesians as they 
could, of the best class of soldiers, on pretence 
that Tissaphernes was forming designs upon 
those towns. For the cities of Ionia had for- 
merly been under the government of Tissapher- 
nes, having been assigned to him by the king, 
but had at this time all revolted to Cyrus except 



CH. 1.] CYRUS COLLECTS FORCES. 5 

Miletus. 7. Tissaphernes, discovering that the 
people of Miletus were forming a similar design, 
[to go over to Cyrus,] put some of them to 
death, and sent others into banishment. Cyrus, 
receiving the exiles under his protection, and 
assembling an army, laid siege to Miletus by 
land and sea, and used every exertion to restore 
these exiles ; and had thus another pretext for 
augmenting the number of his forces. 8. He 
then sent to the king, and requested that, as he 
was his brother, these cities should be given to 
him rather than that Tissaphernes should govern 
them ; and in this application his mother sup- 
ported him. Thus the king had no suspicion of 
the plot against him, but supposed chat Cyrus, 
from being at war with Tissaphernes, was spend- 
ing the money upon troops ; so that he was not 
at all concerned at the strife between them, 
especially as Cyrus remitted to him the tribute 
arising from the cities which Tissaphernes had had. 
9. Another army was collected for him in the 
Chersonesus opposite Abydos, in the following 
method. Clearchus, a Lacedaemonian, happened 
to be in exile. Cyrus, having met with him, was 
struck with admiration for him, and made him a 
present of ten thousand darics. Clearchus, on 
receiving the gold, raised by means of it, a body 
of troops, and making excursions out of the 
Chersonesus, made war upon the Thracians that 
are situated above the Hellespont, and was of 
assistance to the Greeks; so that the towns on 
the Hellespont willingly contributed money for 
the support of his men. This too was a force 
thus secretly maintained for Cyrus. 



6 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

10. Aristippus, also, a Thessalian, happened to 
be a guest-friend of Cyrus, and, being pressed 
by an adverse faction at home, came to him, and 
asked him for two thousand mercenary troops, 
and three months' pay for them, representing 
that he would thus be enabled to overpower his 
enemies. Cyrus granted him four thousand, and 
six months' pay, desiring him not to terminate 
the strife until he should consult him. Thus 
another body of troops was clandestinely sup- 
ported for him in Thessaly. 

11. He then requested Proxenus a Boeotian, 
who was also his guest-friend, to join him with 
as many men as he could procure, stating that he 
intended to make war on the Pisidians, as they 
molested his territories. He also desired SophaB- 
netus of Stymphalus, and Socrates, an Acha?an, 
both of them his guest-friends, to come to him, 
and bring as many men as possible, pretending 
that he was going to war with Tissaphernes on 
behalf of the Milesian exiles ; and they acted as 
he wished. 



CHAPTER II. 

Cyrus begins his march, proceeding from Sardis through 
Lydia into Phrygia, where he is joined by new forces. The 
city of Celsense ; the plain of Caystrus, where the soldiers 
demand their arrears of pay, which Cyrus discharges with 
money received from the queen of Cilicia. The town of 
Thymbrium ; the fountain of Midas. Cyrus enters Cilicia. 
and is met at Tarsus by Syennesis, the king of the country. 

l. When it seemed to him time to march up 
into the country, he made it his pretext for 
doing so that he wished to expel the Pisidians 



CH. 2.] THE TROOPS MEET AT SAUDIS. 7 

entirely from the territory, and mustered, as if 
for the purpose of attacking them, the whole of 
the troops, as well Barbarian as Greek, that 
were on the spot. lie also sent word to Clear- 
chus to join nim, bringing whatever force was 
at his command ; and to Aristippus, as soon as 
he had come to terms with the party at home, 
to send him back the troops that he had. He 
also desired Xenias the Arcadian, who com- 
manded for him the mercenaries in the several 
towns, to bring him all his men except such as 
would be required to garrison the citadels.^ 2. He 
summoned, too, the army that was besieging Mil- 
etus, and invited the exiles to accompany him, 
on his expedition; promising them, that if he 
successfully accomplished the objects for which 
he undertook it, he would never rest until he 
had re-established them in their country. % They 
cheerfully consented, as they had confidence in 
him, and, taking their arms, joined him at Sardis. 

8. To Sardis also came Xenias, bringing with 
him the troops from the several towns, to the 
number of four thousand heavy-armed men. 
Thither camfe also Proxenus, with heavy-armed 
men to the number of fifteen huudred, and five 
hundred light-armed; Sophoenetus the Stym- 
pkalian, with a thousand heavy-armed ; Socrates 
the Achaean with five hundred ; and Pasion of 
Megara with three hundred heavy-armed and 
the same number of peltasts. Both Pasion and 
Socrates were among those serving in the army 
at Miletus. 

4. These joined him at Sardis. Tissaphernes, 
observing these proceedings, and considering 



8 TllE EXPEDITION OF CTRUS. [*• h 

the force to be greater than wm necessary to 
attack the Pisidiaus, set out, with all possible 
speed, to give notice of the matter to the king, 
taking with him about five hundred cavalry ; 
r>. and the king, as soon as he heard from 
Tissaphernes of the preparations of Cyrus, made 
arrangements to oppose him. 

Cyrus, at the head of the force which I have 
stated, commenced his journey from Sardis, and 
proceeded through Lydia, three days' march, a 
distance of twentv-two parasangs, as far as the 
river Maeander. 'The breadth of this river is 
two plethra, and a bridge was thrown over it* . 
constructed of seven boats. 6. Having crossed 
the stream, he went forward through Fhrygia, 
one day's march, eight parasangs, till he reached 
Coloss*, a populous city, wealthy and of consid- 
erable magnitude. Here .he halted seven days; 
when Menon the Thessalian joined him with a 
thousand heavy-armed troops and five hundred 
peltasts, consisting of Dolopians, ^nianes, and 
Olynthians. "*; 

7. Hence he proceeded in three days marcn, 
a distance of twenty parasangs, to Celaenae, a 
populous, large, and rich city of Phrygia. Hero 
Cyrus had a palace, and an extensive park full 
of wild beasts, which he was accustomed to hunt 
on horseback whenever he wished to give him- 
self and his horses exercise. Through the mid- 
dle of this park flows the river Meander; its 
springs issue from the palace itself; and it nins 
aho through the city of Celaenae.^. There is 
also at Cel«n« a palace of the Great King, 
situated near the source of the river Marsyas, 



CH. 2.] CYRUS IS JOINED BY CLEARCHUS. 9 

under the citadel. This river too runs through 
the city, and falls into the Maeander. The 
breadth of the Marsyas is twenty-five feet. 
Here Apollo is said to have flayed Marsyas, 
after conquering him in a trial of musical skill, 
and to have hung up his skin in the cave, where 
the source of the stream rises : and on this 
account the river is called Marsyas. 9. Xerxes 
is said to have built both this palace and the 
citadel of Celamas, when he was returning from 
Greece after his discomfiture in battle. 

Cyrus remained here thirty days ; during 
which time Clearchus, the Lacedaemonian exile, 
joined him with a thousand heavy-armed men, 
eight hundred Thracian peltasts, and two hun- 
dred Cretan archers. At the same time Sosis 
of Syracuse arrived with three hundred heavy- 
armed men, and Sophaenetus, an Arcadian, with 
a thousand. Here Cyrus held a review of the 
Greeks in the park, and took theii number ; and 
there were in all eleven thousand heavy-armed 
troops, and about two thousand peltasts. 
10. Hence he proceeded two days' march, a 
distance of ten parasangs, to Peltas, a well- 
peopled city, where he halted three days, during 
which Xenias the Arcadian celebrated the sacred 
rites of Lycaean Jove, and held public games on 
the occasion ; in which the prizes were golden 
strigiles. Cyrus was present at the games as a 
spectator. Thence he proceeded, two days' 
march, twelve parasangs, to Ceramon Agora, a 
populous city, the last on the side of Mysia. 

11. Hence he proceeded, in three clays' march, 
the distance of thirty parasangs, to the plain of 



10 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

Caystrus, a populous city. Here he halted five 
clays ; and at this time more than three months' 
pay was due the troops, which they frequently 
went to his tent to demand. Cyrus put them 
off, giving them hopes, but was evidently dis- 
tressed ; for it was no part of his character not 
to pay when he had the means. 12. But while 
he was there, Epyaxa, the wife of Syennesis 
king of the Cilicians, paid him a visit, and was 
said to have presented him with a large sum of 
money. He in consequence gave the troops pay 
for four months. The Ciiician queen had with 
her a body-guard of Cilicians and Aspendians;- 
and it was reported that Cyrus had connexion 
with her. 

13. Hence he proceeded two days' march, ten 
parasangs, to Thymbrium, a populous city. 
Here, by the roadside, was a fountain, called the 
fountain of Midas, king of Phrygia ; at which 
Midas is said to have captured the Satyr, by 
mixing wine with the water. 

14. Hence he proceeded, two days' march, 
ten parasangs, to Tyriaeum, a well-peopled city, 
where he stayed three days. The Ciiician 
queen is said to have requested Cyrus to show 
her his army. With the desire therefore of 
exhibiting it to her, he reviewed his troops, as 
well Greek as Barbarian, in the plain. 15. He 
ordered the Greeks to be marshalled, and to 
take their places, as they were accustomed to do 
for battle, each captain arranging his own men. 
They were accordingly drawn up four deep; 
Menon and his troops took the right wing ; 
Clearchus and his men the left ; and the other 



CH. 2.] CYRUS ADVANCES INTO CILICIA. 11 

captains occupied the centre. 16. First of all, 
then, Cyrus reviewed the Barbarians, who 
marched past him, drawn up in troops and com- 
panies ; and afterwards the Greeks, riding by 
them in his chariot, with the Cilician queen in her 
car. They had all brazen helmets, scarlet tunics, 
greaves, and polished shields. 17. When he 
had ridden past them all, he stopped his chariot 
in front of their phalanx, and sent Pigres the 
interpreter to the Greek officers, with orders for 
them to present arms, and to advance with their 
whole phalanx. The officers communicated 
these orders to their soldiers ; and, when the 
trumpeter gave the signal, they presented arms 
and advanced. Then, as they proceeded with a 
quicker pace and loud shouts, the soldiers of 
their own accord took to running, bearing down 
upon the tents of the Persians. 18. Upon this, 
there arose great terror among the rest of the 
Barbarians ; the Cilician queen fled from her 
car ; and the people in the market deserted 
their goods and took to their heels ; while the 
Greeks marched up to the tents with laughter. 
The Cilician queen, on beholding the splendour 
and discipline of the army, was struck with 
admiration ; and Cyrus was delighted when he 
saw the terror with which the Greeks inspired 
the Barbarians. 

19. Hence he advanced, three days' march, a 
distance of twenty parasangs, to Iconium, the 
last town of Phrygia ; where he halted three 
days. He then went forward through Lycao- 
nia, five days' march, a distance of thirty 
parasangs ; and this country, as being that of an 
enemy, he permitted the Greeks to ravage. 



12 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

20. From hence Cyrus despatched the Cilician 
queen, by the shortest road, into Cilicia ; and 
sent with her the troops which Menon had, and 
Menon himself. Cyrus, with the rest of the 
army, proceeded through Cappadocia, four days' 
march, a distance of twenty-five parasangs, 
to Dana, a populous, large, and wealthy city. 
Here he stayed three days ; in the course of 
which he put to death a Persian, named Mega- 
phernes, a wearer of the royal purple, and a 
certain other person in power, one of the 
provincial governors having accused them of 
conspiring against him. 

21. They then made an attempt to enter 
Cilicia ; but the sole entrance was a road broad 
enough only for a single carriage, very steep, 
and impracticable for an army to pass, if any one 
opposed them. Syennesis, besides, was said to 
be stationed on the heights, guarding the defile ; 
on which account Cyrus halted for a day in the , 
plain. The next day, a messenger came to 
inform him that Syennesis had quitted the 
heights, on receiving information that Menon's 
army was already in Cilicia within the moun- 
tains, and hearing that Tamos had a number of 
galleys, belonging to the Lacedaemonians and 
Cyrus himself, sailing round from Ionia to 
Cilicia. 22. Cyrus accordingly ascended the 
mountains without any opposition, and saw the 
tents in which the Cilicians kept guard. Hence 
he descended into a large and beautiful plain, 
well watered, and abounding with all kinds of 
trees, as well as vines. It also produced great 
quantities of sesamum, panic, millet, wheat, and 



CH. 2.] CYRUS ARRIVES AT TARSUS. 13 

barley. J± chain of hills, strong and high, en- 
compasses it on all sides from sea to sea. 23. De- 
scending through this plain, he proceeded, in 
four days' march, a distance of twenty-five 
parasangs, to Tarsus, a large and opulent city of 
Cilicia. Here was the palace of Syennesis, the 
king of the Cilicians ; and through the midst of 
the city runs a river, called the Cydnus, the 
breadth of which is two plethra. 24. This city 
the inhabitants, with Syennesis, had deserted for 
a strong-hold upon the mountains, except those 
who kept shops. Those also remained behind, 
who lived near the sea at Soli and at Issi. 

25. Epyaxa, the wife of Syennesis, had 
arrived at Tarsus five days before Cyrus. But 
in passing over the mountains which skirt the 
plain, two companies of Menon's troops had 
perished ; some said that they had been cut to 
pieces by the Cilicians, while committing some 
depredations ; others, that being left behind, 
and unable to find the rest of the army or their 
road, they had been destroyed while wandering 
about. They amounted to a hundred heavy- 
armed men. 26. When the rest of Menon's 
troops came up, full of resentment at the fate 
of their comrades, they plundered both the city 
of Tarsus and the palace in it. Cyrus, on 
entering the city, sent for Syennesis to come to 
him ; but Syennesis answered, that he had never 
yet put himself in the power of one stronger 
than himself ; nor would he then consent to go 
to Cyrus, until his wife prevailed upon him, and 
he received solemn assurances of safety. 27. Af- 
terwards, when they had met, Syennesis gave 



14 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [B. I. 

Cyras a large sum of money for the support of 
his army, and Cyrus in return presented him 
with such gifts as are held in estimation by a king, 
a horse with a golden bit, a golden chain and 
bracelets, and a golden scimitar and Persian 
robe. He also engaged that his country should 
no more be plundered, and that he should receive 
back the captured slaves, if they anywhere met 
with them. 

CHAPTER III. 

Cyrus is forced to stay twenty days at Tarsus by a mutiny of 
the Greek soldiers, who, suspecting that they were led 
against the king, refuse to go farther, and offer violence to 
Clearchus, who endeavours to force them to proceed. But 
being told by Cyrus that the expedition is directed against 
Abrocomas, and promised an increase of pay, they agree to 
continue their march. 

l. Here Cyrus and the army remained twenty 
days ; for the soldiers refused to proceed farther, 
as they now began to suspect that they were 
marching against the king, and said that they 
had not been hired for this purpose. Clearchus, 
first of all, endeavoured to compel his soldiers to 
proceed ; but, as soon as he began to advance, 
they pelted him and his baggage -cattle with 
stones. 2. Clearchus, indeed, on this occasion, 
had a narrow escape of being stoned to death. 
At length, when he saw that he should not be 
able to proceed by force, he called a meeting of 
his soldiers ; and at first, standing before them, 
he continued for some time to shed tears, while 
they, looking on, were struck with wonder, and 
remained silent. He then addressed them to 
this effect : 



CII. 3.] THE GREEKS REFUSE TO PROCEED. 15 

3. u Wonder not, soldiers, that I feel dis- 
tressed at the present occurrences ; for Cyrus 
engaged himself to me by ties of hospitality, 
and honoured me, when I was an exile from my 
country, both with other marks of esteem, and 
by presenting me with ten thousand darics. On 
receiving this money, I did not treasure it up 
for my own use, or squander it in luxury, but 
spent it upon you. 4. First of all, I made war 
upon the Thracians, and, in the cause of Greece, 
and with your assistance, took vengeance upon 
them by expelling them from the Chersonesus, 
when they would have taken the country from 
its Grecian colonists. When Cyrus summoned 
me, I set out to join him, taking you with me, 
that if he had need of my aid, I might do him 
service in return for the benefits that I had 
received from him. 5. But since you are un- 
willing to accompany him on this expedition, I 
am under the obligation, either, by deserting 
you, to preserve the friendship of Cyrus, or, by 
proving false to him, to adhere to you. Whether 
I shall do right, I do not know ; but I shall 
give you the preference, and will undergo with 
you whatever may be necessary. Nor shall any 
one ever say, that, after leading Greeks into a 
country of Barbarians, I deserted the Greeks, 
and adopted, in preference, the friendship of the 
Barbarians. 

6. " Since, however, you decline to obey me, 
or to follow me, I will go with you, and submit 
to whatever may be destined for us. For I look 
upon you to be at once my country, my friends, 
and my fellow-soldiers, and consider that with 



16 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

you I shall be respected, wherever I may be : 
but that, if separated from you, 1 shall be una- 
ble either to afford assistance to a friend, or to 
avenge myself upon an enemy. Feel assured, 
therefore, that I am resolved to accompany you 
wherever you go." 

7. Thus he spoke ; and the soldiers, as well 
those under his own command as the others, on 
hearing these assurances, applauded him for say- 
ing that he would not march against the king ; 
and more than two thousand of the troops of 
Xenias and Pasion, taking with them their arms 
and baggage, went and encamped under 
Clearchus. 

8. Cyrus, perplexed and grieved at these 
occurrences, sent for Clearchus ; who, however, 
would not go, but sending a messenger to Cyrus 
without the knowledge of the soldiers, bade him 
be of good courage, as these matters would be 
arranged to his satisfaction. He also desired 
Cyrus to send for him again, but, when Cyrus 
had clone so, he again declined to go. 9. After- 
wards, having assembled his own soldiers, and 
those who had recently gone over to him, and 
any of the rest that wished to be present, he 
spoke to the following effect : 

" It is evident, soldiers, that the situation of 
Cyrus with regard to us is the same as ours with 
regard to him ; for we are no longer his soldiers, 
since we refuse to follow him, nor is he any 
longer our paymaster. 10. That he considers 
himself wronged by us, however, I am well 
aware ; so that, even when he sends for me, I am 
unwilling to go to him, principally from feeling 



CH. 3.] SPEECH OF CLEARCHUS. 17 

shame, because I am conscious of having been 
in all respects false to him ; and in addition, 
from being afraid, that, when he has me in his 
power, he may take vengeance on me for the 
matters in which he conceives that he has been 
injured, ll. This, therefore, seems to me to be 
no time for us to sleep, or to neglect our own 
safety ; but, on the contrary, to consider what 
we must do under these circumstances. As long 
as we remain here, it seems necessary to con- 
sider how we may best remain with safety ; or, 
if we determine upon going at once, how we 
may depart with the greatest security, and how 
we may obtain provisions ; for without these, the 
general and the private soldier are alike in- 
efficient. 12. Cyrus is indeed a mast valuable 
friend to those to whom he is a friend, but a 
most violent enemy to those to whom he is an 
enemy. He has forces, too, both infantry and 
cavalry, as well as a naval power, as we all alike 
see and know ; for we seem to me to be en- 
camped at no great distance from him. It is 
therefore full time to say whatever any one 
thinks to be best." Having spoken thus, he 
made a pause. 

13. Upon this, several rose to speak ; some, of 
their own accord, to express what they thought ; 
others, previously instructed by Clearchus, to 
point out what difficulty there would be, either 
in remaining or departing, without the consent 
of Cyrus. 14. One of these, pretending to be 
eager to proceed with all possible haste to 
Greece, proposed that they should choose other 
commanders without delay, if Clearchus were 



18 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

unwilling to conduct them back ; that they 
should purchase provisions, as there was a mar- 
ket in the Barbarian camp, and pack up their 
baggage ; that they should go to Cyrus, and ask 
him to furnish them with ships, in which the} r 
might sail home; and, if he should not grant 
them, that they should beg of him a guide, to 
conduct them back through such parts of the 
country as were friendly towards them. But if 
he would not even allow them a guide, that they 
should, without delay, form themselves in war- 
like order, and send a detachment to take pos- 
session of the heights, in order that neither Cyrus 
nor the Cilicians (" of whom," said he, u we have 
many prisoners, and much money that we have 
taken,") may be the first to occupy them. Such 
were the suggestions that he offered ; but after 
him Clearchus spoke as follows : 

15. " Let no one of you mention me, as likely 
to undertake this command ; for I see many 
reasons why I ought not to do so ; but be as- 
sured, that whatever person you may elect, I 
shall pay the greatest possible deference to him, 
that you may see that I know how to obey as 
well as any other man." 

16. After him another arose, who pointed out 
the folly of him who advised them to ask for 
ships, just as if Cyrus were not about to sail 
back, and who showed, too, how foolish it would 
be to request a guide of the very person " whose 
plans," said he, k< we are frustrating. And," he 
added, " if we should trust the guide that Cyrus 
might assign us, what will hinder Cyrus from 
giving orders to occupy the heights before we 



CH. 3.] SPEECH OF CLEARCHUS. 19 

reach them? 17. For my own part, I should 
be reluctant to embark in any vessel that he 
might grant us, lest he should send us and the 
galleys to the bottom together ; I should also be 
afraid to follow any guide that he may appoint, 
lest he should conduct us into places, from 
whence there would be no means of escape ; and 
I had rather, if I depart without the consent of 
Cyrus, depart without his knowledge; but this 
is impossible. 18. I say then that such pro- 
posals are absurdities; and my advice is, that 
certain persons, such as are fit for the task, 
should accompany Clearchus to Cyrus, and ask 
him in what service he wishes to employ us ; 
and if the undertaking be similar to that in which 
he before employed foreign troops, that we too 
should follow him, and not appear more cowardly 
than those who previously went up with him. 
19. But if the present design seem greater and 
more difficult and more perilous than the former, 
that they should ask him, in that case, either to 
induce us to accompany him by persuasion, or, 
yielding himself to our persuasions, to give us a 
passage to a friendly country ; for thus, if we 
accompany him, we shall accompany him as 
friends and zealous supporters, and if we leave 
him, we shall depart in safety ; that they then 
report to us what answer he makes to this appli- 
cation ; and that we, having heard his reply, 
take measures in accordance with it." 

20. These suggestions were approved ; and, 
having chosen certain persons, they sent them 
with Clearchus to ask Cyrus the questions agreed 
upon by the army. Cyrus answered, that he 



20 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

had heard that Abrocomas, an enemy of his, was 
on the banks of the Euphrates, twelve days' 
march distant ; and it was ^against him, he said, 
that he wished to march ; and if Abrocomas 
should be there, he said that he longed to take 
due vengeance on him ; but if he should retreat, 
" we will consider there," he added, " how to 
proceed." 

21. The delegates, having heard this answer, 
reported it to the soldiers, who had still a sus- 
picion that he was leading them against the king, 
but nevertheless resolved to accompany him. 
They then asked for an increase of pay, and 
Cyrus promised to give them all half as much 
again as they received before, that is to say, 
instead of a daric, three half-darics a month for 
every soldier. But no one heard there, at least 
publicly, that he was leading them against the 
king. 



CHAPTER IV. 

The army reaches Issi, the last city in Cilicia, at which the 
fleet then arrives. Cyrus proceeds into Syria, where two of 
the Greek captains, Xenias and Pasion, desert the expe- 
dition ; the good feeling of Cyrus, in forbearing to pursue 
them, renders the other Greeks more willing to accompany 
him. He arrives at Thapsacus on the Euphrates, where he 
discloses the real object of his expedition to the Greek 
troops, who express discontent, but are induced by fresh 
promises, and the example of Menon, to cross the river. 

l. Hence he proceeded, two days' march, a 
distance of ten parasangs, to the river Psarus, 
the breadth of which was three plethra. He 
then went forward, one day's march, five para- 
sangs, to the river Pyramus, the breadth of 



CH. 4.] CYRUS ENTERS SYRIA. 21 

which is a stadium. Hence he advanced in two 
days' march, a distance of fifteen parasangs, to 
Issi, the last city in Cilicia, situate upon the sea- 
coast, a populous, large, and rich place. 

2. Here Cyrus remained three days, in which 
time the ships from Peloponnesus, thirty-five* in 
number, arrived, Pythagoras the Lacedaemonian 
being their commander. But Tamos, an Egyp- 
tian, had conducted the fleet from Ephesus, who 
had also with him five-and-twenty other ships, be- 
longing to Cyrus, with which he had blockaded 
Miletus when it was in the interest of Tissapher- 
nes, and had fought against him on behalf of 
Cyrus. 3. In these vessels came also Cheiriso- 
phus the Lacedaemonian, who had been sent for 
by Cyrus, and who had with him seven hundred 
heavy-armed troops, which he commanded as 
part of the army of Cyrus. The ships were 
moored opposite Cyrus's tent. Here, too, the 
Greek mercenaries, who were in the pay of 
Abrocomas, four hundred heavy-armed men, 
deserted him and came over to Cyrus, and joined 
in the expedition against the king. 

4. Hence he proceeded, one day's march, Hve 
parasangs, to the Gates of Cilicia and Syria. 
These were two fortresses ; of the part within 
them, towards Cilicia, Syennesis and a guard of 
Cilicians had the charge ; the part without, 
towards Syria, a garrison of the king's soldiers 
was reported to occupy. Between the two runs 
a river, called Carsus, a plethrum in breadth. 
The whole space between the fortresses was 
three stadia ; and it was impossible to pass it by 
force ; for the passage was very narrow, the 



22 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

walls reached down to the sea, and above were 
inaccessible rocks. At each of the fortresses 
were gates. 5. It was on' account of this pas- 
sage that Cyrus had sent for the fleet, that he 
might disembark heavy-armed troops within and 
without the Gates, who might force a passage 
through the enemy, if they still kept guard at 
the Syrian gates; a post which he expected 
Abrocomas would hold, as he had under his 
command a numerous army. Abrocomas how- 
ever did not attempt this ; but, when he heard 
that Cyrus was in Cilicia, retreated out of Phoeni- 
cia, and proceeded to join the king, having with 
him, as was said, three hundred thousand men. 

6. Hence he proceeded through Syria, one 
day's march, five parasangs, to Myriandrus, a city 
near the sea, inhabited by Phoenicians ; this 
place was a public mart, and many merchant- 
vessels lay at anchor there. 7. Here they re- 
mained seven days ; and here Xenias the 
Arcadian captain, and Pasion the Megarean, 
embarking in a vessel, and putting on board 
their most valuable effects, sailed away; being 
actuated, as most thought, by motives of jealousy, 
because Cyrus had allowed Clearchus to retain 
under his command their soldiers, who had 
seceded to Clearchus in the expectation of re- 
turning to Greece, and not of marching against 
the king. Upon their disappearance, a rumour 
pervaded the army that Cyrus would pursue 
them with ships of war ; and some wished that 
they might be taken, as having acted perfidi- 
ously ; while others pitied their fate, if they 
should be caught. 



CH. 4.] XENIAS AND PASION LEAVE CYRUS. 23 

8. But Cyrus, calling together the captains, 
said to them, "Xenias and Pasion have left us : 
but let them be well assured, that they have not 
fled clandestinely ; for I know which way they 
are gone ; nor have they escaped beyond my 
reach ; for I have triremes that would overtake 
their vessel. But, by the gods, I shall certainly 
not pursue them ; nor shall any one say, that as 
lon£ as a man remains with me, I make use of 
his services, but that, when he desires to leave 
me, I seize and ill-treat his person, and dispoil 
him of his property. But let them go, with the 
consciousness that they have acted a worse part 
towards us than we towards them. I have, in- 
deed, their children and. wives under guard at 
Tralles ; but not even of them shall they be de- 
prived, but shall receive them back in considera- 
tion of their former service to me." 9. Thus 
Cyrus spoke ; and the Greeks, even such as had 
been previously disinclined to the expedition, 
when they heard of the noble conduct of Cyrus, 
accompanied him with greater pleasure and 
alacrity. 

After these occurrences, Cyrus proceeded four 
days' march, a distance of twenty parasangs, to 
the river Chalus, which is a plethrum in breadth, 
and full of large tame fish, which the Syrians 
looked upon as gods, and allow no one to hurt 
either them or the pigeons. The villages, in 
which they fixed their quarters, belonged to 
Parysatis, having been given her for her 
girdle. 

10. Thence he advanced, five days' march, a 
distance of thirty parasangs, to the source of the 



24 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

river Dardes, which is a pie thrum in breadth. 
Here was the palace of Belesys, the governor of 
Syria, and a very large and beautiful garden, 
containing all that the seasons produce. But 
Cyrus laid it waste, and burned the palace. 

11. Hence he proceeded, three days' march, 
a distance of fifteen parasangs, to the river Eu- 
phrates, which is there four stadia in breadth, 
and on which is situated a large and rich city, 
named Thapsacus. The army remained there 
five days ; and Cyrus sent for the Greek cap- 
tains, and told them, that his march was directed 
to Babylon, against the Great King ; and he de- 
sired them to make this announcement to the 
soldiers, and to persuade them to accompany 
him. 

12. The leaders, assembling their troops, com- 
municated this information to them ; and the 
soldiers expressed themselves much displeased 
with their officers, and said that they had long 
known this, but concealed it ; and they refused 
to go, unless such a donative was granted them, 
as had been given to those who had before gone 
up with Cyrus to his father, and that, too, when 
they did not go to fight, but merely attended 
Cy-rus when his father summoned him. 13. This 
state of things the generals reported to Cyrus ; 
who in consequence promised to give every man 
five minae of silver, when they should arrive at 
Babylon, and their full pay besides, until he 
should bring back the Greeks to Ionia again. 
The greatest part of the Grecian force was thus 
prevailed upon to accompany him. But before 
it was certain what the other soldiers would do, 



CH. 4.] THE GREEKS CROSS THE EUPHRATES. 25 

whether they would accompany Cyrus or not, 
Menon assembled his own troops apart from the 
rest, and spoke as follows : 

14. "If you will follow my advice, soldiers, 
you will, without incurring either danger or toil, 
make yourselves honoured by Cyrus beyond the 
rest of the army. What, then, would I have you 
do? Cyrus is at this moment urgent with the 
Greeks to accompany him against the king ; I 
therefore suggest that, before it is known how 
the other Greeks will answer Cyrus, you should 
cross over the river Euphrates. 15. For if they 
should determine upon accompanying him, you 
will appear to have been the cause of it, by 
being the first to pass the river ; and to you, as 
being most forward with your services, Cyrus 
will feel and repay the obligation, as no one 
knows how to do better than himself. But if 
the others should determine not to go with him, 
we shall all of us return back again ; but you, 
as having alone complied with his wishes, and 
as being most worthy of his confidence, he will 
employ in garrison duty and post of authority ; 
and whatever else you may ask of him, I feel 
assured that, as the friends of Cyrus, you will 
obtain it." 

16. On hearing these proposals, they at once 
complied with them, and crossed the river before 
the others had given their answer. And when 
Cyrus perceived that they had crossed, he was 
much pleased, and despatched Glus to Menon's 
troops with this message : "I applaud your con- 
duct, my friends ; and it shall be my care that 
you may applaud me ; or think me no longer 



26 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

Cyrus." 17. The soldiers, in consequence, being 
filled with great expectations, prayed that he 
might succeed ; and to Menon Cyrus was said 
to have sent most magnificent presents. After 
these transactions, he passed the river, and all 
the rest of the army followed him ; and, in cross- 
ing the stream, no one was wetted by its waters 
above the breast. 18. The people of Thapsacus 
said, that this river had never, except on that 
occasion, been passable on foot, but only by 
means of boats ; which Abrocomas, going before, 
had burnt, that Cyrus might not be able to cross. 
It seemed, therefore, that this had happened by 
divine interposition, and that the river had 
plainly made way for Cyrus as the tuture king. 

19. Hence he advanced through Syria, nine 
days' march, a distance of fifty parasangs, and 
arrived at the river Araxes, where were a num- 
ber of villages, stored with corn and wine. Here 
the army remained three days, and collected 
provisions. 



CHAPTER V. 



Tlie army proceeds through Arabia, having the Euphrates 
on the right. They suffer from want of provisions, and 
many of the beasts of burden perish ; but supplies are pro- 
cured from the opposite bank of the Euphrates. A dispute 
occurs between Clearchus and Menon, which is quelled by 
Cyrus. 

l. Cyrus now advanced through Arabia, hav- 
ing the Euphrates on his right, five days' march 
through the desert, a distance of thirty-five para- 
sangs. In this region the ground was entirely a 



CH. 5.] CYRUS ADVANCES THROUGH ARABIA. 27 

plain, level as the sea. It was covered with 
wormwood, and whatever other kinds of shrub 
or reed grew on it, were all odoriferous as per- 
fumes. But there were no trees. 2. There 
were wild animals, however, of various kinds; 
the most numerous were wild asses ; there were 
also many ostriches, as well as bustards and ante- 
lopes ; and these animals the horsemen of the 
army sometimes hunted. The wild asses, when 
any one pursued them, would start forward a 
considerable distance, and then stand still ; (for 
they ran much more swiftly than the horse ;) 
and again, when the horse approached, they did 
the same ; and it was impossible to catch them, 
unless the horsemen, stationing themselves at 
intervals, kept up the pursuit with a succession 
of horses. The flesh of those that were taken 
resembled venison, but was more tender. 3. An 
ostrich no one succeeded in catching ; and those 
horsemen who hunted that bird, soon desisted 
from the pursuit ; for it far outstripped them in 
its flight, using its feet for running, and its 
wings, raising them like a sail. The bustards 
might be taken, if a person started them sud- 
denly ; for they fly but a short distance, like 
partridges, and soon tire. Their flesh was very 
delicious. 

4. Marching through this region, they came 
to the river Mascas, the breadth of which is a 
plethrum. Here was a large deserted city, of 
which the name was Corsote, and which was en- 
tirely surrounded by the Mascas. Here they 
stayed three days, and furnished themselves with 
provisions. 



28 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

5. Thence he proceeded, thirteen days' march 
through the desert, a distance of ninety para- 
sangs, still keeping the Euphrates on the right, 
and arrived at a place called the Gates. In 
this march many of the beasts of burden perished 
of hunger ; for there was neither grass, nor any 
sort of tree, but the whole country was com- 
pletely bare. The inhabitants, who quarried 
and fashioned millstones near the river, took 
them to Babylon, and sold them, and lived upon 
corn which they bought with the money. 6. Corn, 
too, failed the army, and it was not possible to 
buy any, except in the Lydian market among 
Cyrus's Barbarian troops, where they purchased 
a capithe of wheat flour or barley-meal for four 
sigli. The siglus is equivalent to seven Attic 
oboli and a half, and the capithe contains two 
Attic choenices. The soldiers therefore lived 
entirely upon flesh. 

7. There were some of these marches which 
he made extremely long, whenever he wished to 
get to water or forage. On one occasion, when 
a narrow and muddy road presented itself, al- 
most impassable for the waggons, Cyrus halted 
on the spot with the most distinguished and 
wealthy of his train, and ordered Glus and 
Pigres, with a detachment of the Barbarian 
forces, to assist in extricating the waggons. 
8. But as they appeared to him to do this too 
tardily, he ordered, as if in anger, the noblest 
Persians of his suite to assist in expediting the 
carriages. Then might be seen a specimen of 
their ready obedience ; for, throwing off their 
purple cloaks, in the place where each happened 



CH. 5.] CYRUS MAKES LONG MARCHES. 29 

to be standing, they rushed forward, as one would 
run in a race for victory, down an extremely steep 
declivity, having on those rich vests which they 
wear, and embroidered trowsers, some too with 
chains about their necks and bracelets on their 
wrists, and, leaping with these equipments 
straight into the mud, brought the waggons up 
quicker than any one would have imagined. 

9. On the whole, Cyrus evidently used the 
greatest speed throughout the march, and made 
no delay, except where he halted in order to 
obtain a supply of provisions, or for some other 
necessary purpose ; thinking that the quicker he 
Went, the more unprepared he should find the 
kino: when he engaged him, and that the more 
slowly he proceeded, the more numerous would 
be the force collected by the king. And an 
attentive observer might see that the empire of 
the king was strong indeed in extent of territory 
and number of inhabitants, but weak through 
the length of the roads, and the dispersion of its 
forces, if an enemy invaded it with rapid move- 
ments. 

10. On the other side of the Euphrates, over 
against their course through, the desert, was an 
opulent and extensive city, called Charmande ; 
from this place the soldiers purchased provisions, 
crossing the river on rafts in the following man- 
ner. They filled the skins, which they had for 
the coverings of their tents, with dry hay, and 
then closed and stitched them together, so that 
the water could not touch the hay. Upon these 
they went across, and procured necessaries, such 
as wine made of the fruit of the palm-tree, and 



30 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

panic corn; for this was most plentiful in those 
parts. 11. Here the soldiers of Menon and those 
of Clearchus falling into a dispute about some- 
thing, Clearchus, judging a soldier of Menon's 
to be in the wrong, inflicted stripes upon him, 
and the man, coming to the quarters of his own 
troops, told his comrades what had occurred, 
who, when they heard it, showed great displeas- 
ure and resentment towards Clearchus. 12. On 
the same day, Clearchus, after going to the place 
where the river was crossed, and inspecting the 
market there, was returning on horseback to his 
tent through Menon's camp, with a few attend- 
ants. Cyrus had not yet arrived, but was still 
on his way thither. One of Menon's soldiers, 
who was employed in cleaving wood, when he 
saw Clearchus riding through the camp, threw 
his axe at him, but missed his aim ; another then 
threw a stone at him, and another, and after- 
wards several, a great uproar ensuing. 13. Clear- 
chus sought refuge in his own camp, and 
immediately called his men to arms, ordering 
his heavy-armed troops to remain on the spot, 
resting their shields against their knees, while 
he himself, with the Thracians, and the horse- 
men that were in his camp, to the number of 
more than forty, (and most of these were Thra- 
cians,) bore down towards the troops of Menon, 
so that they and Menon himself were struck with 
terror, and made a general rush to their arms ; 
while some stood still, not knowing how to act 
under the circumstances. 14. Proxenus hap- 
pened then to be coming up behind the rest, 
with a body of heavy-armed men following him, 



CH. 5.] DISPUTE OF CLEARCHUS AND MENON. 31 

and immediately led his troops into the middle 
space between them both, and drew them up 
under arms, begging Clearchus to desist from 
what he was doing. But Clearchus was indig- 
nant, because, when he had narrowly escaped 
stoning, Proxenus spoke mildly of the treatment 
that he had received ; he accordingly desired 
him to stand out from between them. 

15. At this juncture Cyrus came up, and in- 
quired into the affair. He then instantly took 
his javelins in his hand, and rode, with such of 
his confidential officers as were with him, into 
the midst of the Greeks, and addressed them 
thus : 16. " Clearchus and Proxenus, and you 
other Greeks who are here present, you know 
not what you are doing. For if you engage in 
any contention with one another, be assured, that 
this very day I shall be cut off, and you also not 
long after me ; since, if our affairs go ill, all 
these Barbarians, w r hom you see before you, will 
prove more dangerous enemies to us than even 
those who are with the king." 17. Clearchus, 
on hearing these remonstrances, recovered his 
self-possession ; and both parties, desisting from 
the strife, deposited their arms in their respective 
encampments. 



32 THE EXPEDITION OP CYRUS. [b. I. 

CHAPTEE VI. 

Traces of the king's troops are perceived. Orontes, a Persian 
nobleman, a relation of Cyrus, offers to go forward with a 
body of cavalry, and lay an ambush for the king's army. 
Before he sets out, however, he is found out to be in corres- 
pondence with the king, and is put to death. 

l. As they advanced from this place, the foot- 
steps and dung of horses were observed, and the 
track was conjectured to be that of about two 
thousand cavalry. These, as they went before, 
had burnt all the fodder, and whatever else 
might have been of use to Cyrus. And here 
Orontes, a Persian, by birth connected with the 
king, and reckoned one of the ablest of the 
Persians in the field, turned traitor to Cyrus ; 
with whom, indeed, he had previously been at 
strife, but had been reconciled to him. 2. lie 
now told Cyrus, that if he would give him a 
thousand horse, he would either cut off, by lying 
in ambush, the body of cavalry that were burn- 
ing all before them, or would take the greater 
number of them prisoners, and hinder them from 
consuming everything in their way, and prevent 
them from ever informing the king that they 
had seen the army of Cyrus. Cyrus, when he 
heard his proposal, thought it advantageous ; and 
desired him to take a certain number of men 
from each of the different commanders. 

3. Orontes, thinking that he had secured the 
cavalry, wrote a letter to the king, saying that 
he would come to him with as many horse as he 
could obtain ; and he desired him to give direc- 
tions to his own cavalry to receive him as a friend. 



CH. 6.] TREACHERY OF ORONTES. 33 

There were also in the letter expressions re- 
minding the king of his former friendship and 
fidelity to him. This letter he gave to a man, 
upon whom, as he believed, he could depend, but 
who, when he received it, carried it to Cyrus. 
4. Cyrus, after reading the letter, caused Orontes 
to be arrested, and summoned to his own tent 
seven of the distinguished Persians of his staff, 
and desired the Greek generals to bring up a 
body of heavy-armed men, who should arrange 
themselves under arms around his tent. They 
did as he desired, and brought with them about 
three thousand heavy-armed soldiers. 5. Clear- 
chus he called in to assist at the council, as that 
officer appeared, both to himself and to the rest, 
to be held most in honour among the Greeks. 
Afterwards, when Clearchus left the council, he 
related to his friends how the the trial of Oron- 
tes was conducted ; for there was no injunction 
of secrecy. He said, that Cyrus thus opened the 
proceedings : 

6. " I have solicited your attendance, my 
friends, in order that, on consulting with you, I 
may do, with regard to Orontes here before you, 
whatever may be thought just before gods and 
men. In the first place, then, my father ap- 
pointed him to be subject to me. And when 
afterwards, by the command, as he himself states, 
of my brother, he engaged in war against me, 
having possession of the citadel of Sardis, I, too, 
took up arms against him, and made him resolve 
to desist from war with me ; and then I received 
from him, and gave him in return, the right-hand 
of friendship. 7. And since that occurrence,'* 



34 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

he continued, " is there anything in which I have 
wronged you ? " Orontes replied that there was 
not. Cyrus again asked him, " And did you not 
then subsequently, when, as you own yourself, 
you had received no injury from me, go over to 
the Mysians, and do all the mischief in your 
power to my territories ? " Orontes answered 
in the affirmative. " And did you not then," 
continued Cyrus, "when you had thus again 
proved your strength, come to the altar of Diana, 
and say that you repented, and, prevailing upon 
me by entreaties, give me, and receive from me 
in return, pledges of mutual faith ? " This, too, 
Orontes acknowledged. 8. " What injury, then," 
continued Cyrus, " have you received from me, 
that you are now, for the third time, discovered 
in traitorous designs against me ? " Orontes 
saying that he had received no injury from him, 
Cyrus asked him, "You confess, then, that 
you have acted unjustly towards me ? " "I 
am necessitated to confess it," replied Orontes. 
Cyrus then again inquired, " And would you yet 
become an enemy to my brother, and a faithful 
friend to me ? " Orontes answered, " Though I 
should become so, O Cyrus, I should no longer 
appear so to you." 9. On this, Cyrus said to 
those present, " Such are this man's deeds, and 
such his confessions. And now, do you first, 
O Clearchus, declare your opinion, whatever 
seems right to you." Clearchus spoke thus : 
" I advise, that this man be put out of the way 
with all dispatch ; that so it may be no longer 
necessary to be on our guard against him, but 
that we may have leisure, as far as he is 



CH. 7.] FATE OF ORONTES. 35 

cerned, to benefit those who are willing to be 
our friends." 10. In this opinion, Clearchus 
said, the rest concurred. Afterwards, by the 
direction of Cyrus, all of them, even those re- 
lated to the prisoner, rising from their seats, 
took Orontes by the girdle, in token that he 
was to suffer death ; when those to whom direc- 
tions had been given, led him away. And when 
those saw him pass, who had previously been 
used to bow before him, they bowed before him 
as usual, though they knew that he was being 
led to execution. 

11. After he had been conducted into the tent 
of Artapatas, the most confidential of Cyrus's 
sceptre-bearers, no one from that time ever be- 
held Orontes either living or dead, nor could any 
one say, from certain knowledge, in what manner 
he died. Various conjectures were made ; but 
no burial-place of him was ever seen. 



CHAPTER VII. 



Cyrus enters Babylonia, and reviews his troops ; lie addresses 
the Greeks, and promises them great rewards in case of 
victory. He advances in order of battle, but afterwards, 
supposing that his brother had no immediate intention to 
engage, proceeds with less caution. 

l. Hence Cyrus proceeded through Babylo- 
nia, three days' march, a distance of twelve 
parasangs ; and at the end of the third day's 
march, he reviewed his army, both Greeks and 
Barbarians, in the plain, about midnight ; for he 
expected that with the ensuing dawn the king 
would come up with his army to offer him battle, 



36 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

He desired Clearchus to take the command 
of the right wing, and Menon the Thessalian 
that of the left, while he himself drew up his 
own troops. 

2. After the review, at the dawn of day, some 
deserters from the Great King came and gave 
Cyrus information respecting the royal army. 
Cyrus, assembling the generals and captains of 
the Greeks, consulted with them how he should 
conduct the engagement, and then encouraged 
them with the following exhortations : 3. " It is 
not, O Greeks, from any want of Barbarian 
forces, that I take you with me as auxiliaries ; 
but it is because I think you more efficient and 
valuable then a multitude of Barbarians, that I 
have engaged you in my service. See, then, 
that you prove yourself worthy of the liberty of 
which you are possessed, and for which I esteem 
you fortunate; for be well assured, that I should 
prefer that freedom to all that I possess, and to 
other possessions many times as great. 4. But, 
that you may know to what sort of encounter 
you are advancing, I from my own experience, 
will inform you. The enemy's numbers are im- 
mense, and they make their onset with a loud 
shout ; but if you are firm against this, I feel 
ashamed to think what sort of men, in other 
respects, you will find those in the country to be. 
But if you are true men, and prove yourselves 
stout-hearted, I will enable those of you, who 
may wish to go home, to return thither the envy 
of their fellow-countrymen ; but I think that I 
shall induce most of you to prefer the advan- 
tages of remaining with me to those in your own 
country." 



CH. 7.] REWARDS PROMISED BY CYRUS. 37 

• 5. Upon this, Gaulites, an exile from Samos, 
a man in the confidence of Cyrus, being present, 
said, "Yet some say, O Cyrus, that you make 
many promises now, because you are in such a 
situation of approaching danger; but that if 
things should turn out well, you will not remem- 
ber them ; and some, too, say that even if you 
have both the memory and the will, you will 
not have the power of bestowing all that you 
promise." 6. Hearing this, Cyrus said, " We 
have before us, my friends, the empire that was 
my father's, extending, on the south, to the parts 
where men cannot live for heat ; and on the 
north, to the parts where they cannot live for 
cold ; and over all that lies between these ex- 
tremes, the friends of my brother are now 
satraps. 7. But if we conquer, it will be proper 
for us to make our own friends masters of these 
regions. So that it is not this that I fear, that 
I shall not have enough to give to each of my 
friends, if things turn out successfully, but that 
I shall not have friends enough to whom I may 
give it. And to each of you Greeks, I will also 
give a golden crown." 

8. The Greeks who w^ere present, when they 
heard these assurances, were much encouraged, 
and reported what he had said to the rest. The 
captains, too, and some others of the Greeks, 
went into his tent, desiring to know for certain 
what would be their reward if they should be 
victorious ; and he did not let them go without 
satisfying the minds of all. 

9. But all, who conversed with him, urged 
him not to engage in the battle personally, but 



38 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

take his station behind their line. About this 
time, also, Clearchus put a question to Cyrus to 
this effect: "And do you think, Cyrus, that 
your brother will come to battle with you?" 
u By Jupiter," replied Cyrus, " if he be indeed 
the son of Darius and Parysatis, and my brother, 
I shall not gain possession of these dominions 
without a struggle." 

10. In mustering the Greeks under arms, their 
numbers were found to be ten thousand four 
hundred heavy-armed men, and two thousand 
four hundred peltasts ; of Barbarian troops under 
Cyrus, there were one hundred thousand, with 
about twenty chariots armed with scythes. 

11. Of the enemy the number was said to be 
one million two hundred thousand, with two 
hundred scythed chariots. There were, besides, 
six thousand cavalry, of whom Artagerses had 
the command ; these were drawn up in front of 
the king himself. 12. Of the royal army there 
were four commanders, or generals, or leaders, 
each over three hundred thousand men ; that is 
to say, Abrocomas, Tissaphernes, Gobryas, and 
Arbaces. But of this number only nine hundred 
thousand were present at the battle, and one 
hundred and fifty scythed chariots ; for Abroco- 
mas, who was marching from Phoenicia, did not 
arrive till five days after the battle. 

13. This information was brought to Cyrus by 
some of the enemy who deserted from the Great 
King before the battle : and such of the enemy 
as were taken prisoners after the battle gave the 
same account. 

14. Hence Cyrus proceeded one day's march, 



CH. 7.] CYRUS REWARDS SILANUS. 39 

a distance of three parasangs, with all his forces, 
as well Greek as Barbarian, drawn up in order 
of battle ; for he expected that on this day the 
king would give him battle ; as about the middle 
of the day's march, there was a deep trench dug; 
the breadth of it was five fathoms, and the depth 
three. 15. This ditch extended up through the 
plain, to the distance of twelve parasangs, as far 
as the wall of Media. Here are the canals which 
are supplied from the river Tigris ; there are 
four of them, each a plethrum in breadth, and 
very deep ; boats employed in conveying corn 
sail along them. They discharge themselves 
into the Euphrates, are distant from each other 
one parasang, and there are bridges over them. 
Near the Euphrates was a narrow passage be- 
tween the river and the trench, about twenty 
feet in breadth. 16. This trench the Great King 
had made to serve as a defence, when he heard 
that Cyrus was marching against him. By this 
passage Cyrus and his army made their way, and 
got within the trench. 

17. On this day the king did not come to an 
engagement, but there were to be seen many 
traces of men and horses in retreat. 

18. Cyrus sent for Silanus, the Ambracian 
soothsayer, and gave him three thousand darics, 
because, on the eleventh day previous, while 
sacrificing, he had told Cyrus that the king 
would not fight for ten days ; when Cyrus ex- 
claimed, " He will not then fight at all, if he 
does not fight within that time ; but if you shall 
prove to have spoken truly, I promise to give 
you ten talents." This money, therefore, he 
now paid him, the ten days having elapsed. 



40 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

19. As the king made no attempt, at the 
trench, to prevent the passage of Cyrus's army, 
it was thought both by Cyrus and the rest that 
he had given up the intention of fighting; so 
that on the day following Cyrus proceeded on 
his march with less caution. 20. On the day 
succeeding that, he pursued his journey seated 
in his chariot, and having but a small body of 
troops in line before him; while the far greater 
part of the army observed no order on their 
march, \and many of the soldier's arms were car- 
ried on the waggons and beasts of burden. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

.. 

The enemy are seen advancing in order of battle, and the 
army of Cyrus hastily prepare for action. The Greeks, in 
the right wing, put to flight the troops opposed to them, and 
pursue them to some distance. Cyrus, in the centre, directs 
his attack against the king, and is killed. 

1. It was now about the time of full market, 
and the station, where he intended to halt, was 
not far off, when Pategyas, a Persian, one of 
Cyrus's confidential adherents, made his appear- 
ance, riding at his utmost speed, with his horse 
in a sweat, and straightway called out to all 
whom he met, both in Persian and Greek, " that 
the king was approaching with a vast army, pre- 
pared as for battle." 2. Immediately great con- 
fusion ensued ; for the Greeks and all the rest 
imagined that he would fall upon them suddenly, 
before they could form their ranks ; 3. and 
Cyrus, leaping from his chariot, put on his 



CH. 8. ] THE ENEMY ARE SEEN ADVANCING. 41 

breastplate, and, mounting his horse, took his 
javelin in his hand, and gave orders for all the 
rest to arm themselves, and to take their stations 
each in his own place. 4. They accordingly 
formed with all expedition ; Clearchus occupying 
the extremity of the right wing close to the Eu- 
phrates, Proxenus being next to him, and after 
him the other captains in succession. Menon 
and his troops occupied the left wing of the 
Greeks. 

5. Of the Barbarian forces, about one thousand 
Paphlagonian cavalry were stationed near Clear- 
chus, and the Grecian peltasts on the right ; and 
on the left was Ariaeus, Cyrus's lieutenant, with 
the rest of the Barbarian troops. 6. In the 
centre was Cyrus, and with him about six hun- 
dred cavalry, the men all armed with breast- 
plates, defences for the thighs, and helmets, 
except Cyrus alone ; for Cyrus presented himself 
for battle with his head unprotected. [It is 
said, too, that the other Persians expose them- 
selves in battle with their heads uncovered.] 

7. All the horses of the cavalry, that were 
with Cyrus, had defensive armour on the fore- 
head and breast ; and the horsemen had also 
Grecian swords. 

8. It was now mid-day, and the enemy was 
not yet in sight. But when it was afternoon, 
there appeared a dust, like a white cloud, and 
not long after, a sort of blackness, extending to 
a great distance over the plain. Presently, as 
they approached nearer, brazen armour began to 
flash, and the spears and ranks became visible. 
9. There was a body of cavalry, in white armour, 




THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

on the left of the enemy's line ; (Tissaphernes 
was said to have the command of them;) close 
by these were troops with wicker shields ; and 
next to them, heav}^-armed soldiers with long 
wooden shields reaching to their feet; (these 
were said to be Egyptians ;) then other cavalry 
and bowmen. These all marched according to 
their nations, each nation separately in a solid 
obloDg. 10. In front of their line, at consider- 
able intervals from each other, were stationed 
the chariots called scythed chariots ; they had 
scythes projecting obliquely from the axletree, 
and others under the driver's seat, pointing to 
the earth, for the purpose of cutting through 
whatever came in their way ; and the design of 
them was to penetrate and divide the ranks of 
the Greeks. 

11. As to what Cyrus had said, however, when, 
on calling together the Greeks, he exhorted them 
to sustain unmoved the shout of the Barbarians, 
he was in this respect deceived ; for they now 
approached, not with a shout, but with all pos- 
sible silence, and quietly, with an even and slow 
step. 12. Cyrus in the mean time, riding by with 
Pigres the interpreter, and three or four others, 
called out to Clearchus to lead his troops against 
the enemy's centre, for that there was the king ; 
"and if," said he, "we are victorious in that quar- 
ter, our object is fully accomplished." 13. But 
though Clearchus saw that close collection of 
troops in the centre of the enemy's line, and 
heard from Cyrus that the king was beyond the 
left of the Greeks, (for so much the superior was 
the king in numbers, that, while occupying the 



CH. 8.] PREPARATIONS FOR ENGAGING. 43 

middle of his own line, he was still beyond 
Cyrus's left,) nevertheless he was unwilling to 
draw off his right wing from the river, fearing 
lest he should be hemmed in on both sides ; and 
in answer to Cyrus he said, " that he would take 
care that all should go well." 

14. During this time the Barbarian army ad- 
vanced with a uniform pace ; and the Grecian 
line, still remaining in the same place, was 
gradually forming from those who came up from 
time to time. Cyrus, riding by at a moderate 
distance from his army, surveyed from thence 
both the lines, looking as well towards the enemy 
as to his own men. 15. Xenophon, an Athenian, 
perceiving him from the Grecian line, rode up 
to meet him, and inquired whether he had any 
commands ; when Cyrus stopped his horse, and 
told him, and desired him to tell everybody, that 
the sacrifices and the appearances of the victims 
were favourable. 16. As he was saying this, he 
heard a murmur passing through the ranks, and 
asked what noise that was. He answered, " that 
it was the watchword, passing now for the 
second time." At which Cyrus wondered who 
had given it, and asked what the word was. He 
replied that it was, "Jupiter the Preserver 
and Victory." 17. When Cyrus heard it, " I 
accept it as a good omen," said he, " and let it 
be so." Saying this, he rode away to his own 
station ; and the two armies were now not more 
than three or four stadia distant from each other, 
when the Greeks sang the psean, and began to 
march forward to meet the enemy. 18. And as, 
while they proceeded, some part of their body 



44 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

fluctuated out of line, those who were thus left 
behind began to run : and at the same time, they 
all raised just such a shout as they usually raise 
to Mars, and the whole of them took to a run- 
ning pace. Some say, that they made a noise 
with their spears against their shields, to strike 
terror into the horses. 19. But the Barbarians, 
before an arrow could reach them, gave way, 
and took to flight. The Greeks then pursued 
them with all their force, calling out to each 
other, not to run, but to follow in order. 20. The 
chariots, abandoned by their drivers, were hur- 
ried, some through the midst of the enemies 
themselves, and others through the midst of the 
Greeks. The Greeks, when they saw them 
coming, opened their ranks and let them pass ; 
some few, however, were startled and caught by 
them, as might happen in a race-course ; but 
these, they said, suffered no material injury ; 
nor did any other of the Greeks receive any 
hurt in this battle, except that, on the left of 
their army, a man was said to have been shot 
with an arrow. 

21. Cyrus, though he saw the Greeks victori- 
ous, and pursuing those of the enemies who were 
opposed to them, and though he felt great pleas- 
ure at the sight, and was already saluted as king 
by those about him, was not, however, led away 
to join in the pursuit ; but keeping the band of 
six hundred cavalry, that were with him, drawn 
up in close order around him, he attentively 
watched how the king would proceed ; for he 
well knew that he occupied the centre of the 
Persian army. 22. All the commanders of the 




CH. 8.] CYRUS IS KILLED. 45 

Barbarians, indeed, lead their troops to battle 
occupying the centre of their own men ; thinking 
that they will thus be most secure, if they have 
the strength of their force on either side of them, 
and that if they have occasion to issue orders, 
their army will receive them in half the time. 
23. On the present occasion, the king, though he 
occupied the centre of his own army, was never- 
theless beyond Cyrus's left wing. But as no 
enemy attacked him in front, or the troops that 
were drawn up before him, he began to wheel 
round, as if to enclose his adversaries. 24. Cyrus, 
in consequence, fearing that he might take the 
Greeks in the rear, and cut them in pieces, moved 
directly upon him, and charging with his six 
hundred horse, routed the troops that were 
stationed in front of the king, and put the guard 
of six thousand to flight, and is said to have 
killed with his own hand Artagerses, their com- 
mander. 

25. When this flight of the enemy took place, 
Cyrus's six hundred became dispersed in the 
eagerness of pursuit ; only a very few remaining 
with him, chiefly those who were called u par- 
takers of his table." 

26. While accompanied by these, he perceived 
the king and the close guard around him ; when 
he immediately lost his self-command, and ex- 
claiming, "I see the man," rushed upon him, 
struck him on the breast, and wounded him 
through the breastplate, as Ctesias, the physician, 
relates, stating that he himself dressed the wound, 
27. As Cyrus was in the act of striking, some 
one hit him violently with a javelin under the 



46 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

eye ; and how many of those about the king 
were killed, (while they thus fought, the king, 
and Cyrus, and their respective followers in 
defence of each,) Ctesias relates ; for he was 
with him ; on the other side, Cyrus himself was 
killed, and eight of his principal officers lay dead 
upon his body. 28. Artapates, the most faithful 
servant to him of all his sceptre-bearers, when 
he saw Cyrus fall, is said to have leaped from 
his horse, and thrown himself upon the body of 
his master ; 29. and some say, that the king 
ordered some one to kill him on the body of 
Cyrus; but others relate, that he drew his scimi- 
tar, and killed himself upon the body ; for he 
had a golden scimitar by his side, and also wore 
a chain and bracelets, and other ornaments, like 
the noblest of the Persians ; since he was hon- 
oured by Cyrus for his attachment and fidelity 
to him. 



CHAPTER IX, 



The character of Cyrus. All his personal friends are killed, 
except Ariseus, who takes to flight. 

l. Thus then, died Cyrus ; a man who, of all 
the Persians since Cyrus the elder, was the most 
princely and most worthy of empire, as is agreed 
by all who appear to have had personal knowl- 
edge of him. 2. In the first place, while he was 
yet a boy, and when he was receiving his educa- 
tion with his brother and the other youths, he 
was thought to surpass them all in everything. 
3. For all the sons of the Persian nobles are 






CH. 9.] CHARACTER OF CYRUS. 47 

educated at the gates of the king, where they 
may learn many a lesson of virtuous conduct, 
but can see or hear nothing disgraceful. 4. Here 
the boys see some honoured by the king, and 
others disgraced, and hear of them ; so that in 
their very childhood they learn to govern and to 
obey. 

Here Cyrus, first of all, showed himself most 
remarkable for modesty among those of his own 
age, and for paying more ready obedience to his 
elders than even those who were inferior to him 
in station ; and next, he was noted for his fond- 
ness for horses, and for managing them in a 
superior manner. They found him, too, very 
desirous of learning, and most assiduous in prac- 
tising^* the warlike exercises of archery^ and 
hurling the javelin. 6. When it suited his age, 
he grew exceedingly fond of the chase, and of 
braving dangers in encounters with wild beasts. 
On one occasion, he did not shrink from a she- 
bear that attacked him, but, in grappling with 
her, was dragged from off his horse, and received 
some wounds, the scars of which were visible on 
his body, but at last killed her. The person who 
first came to his assistance he made a happy man 
in the eyes of many. 

7. When he was sent down by his father, as 
satrap of Lydia and Great Phrygia and Cappa- 
docia, and also appointed commander of all the 
troops whose duty it is to muster in the plain of 
-Castolus, he soon showed that if he made a 
league or compact with any one, or gave a 
promise, he deemed it of the utmost importance 
not to break his word. 8. Accordingly the states 



48 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [B. I, 

that were committed to his charge, as well as 
individuals, had the greatest confidence in him ; 
and if any one had been his enemy, he felt se- 
cure that if Cyrus entered into a treaty with 
him, he should suffer no infraction of the stipu- 
lations. 9. When, therefore, he waged war 
against Tissaphernes, all the cities, of their 
own accord, chose to adhere to Cyrus in prefer- 
ence to Tissaphernes, except the Milesians; but 
they feared him, because he would not abandon 
the cause of the exiles ; 10. for he both showed 
by his deeds, and declared in words, that he 
would never desert them, since he had once be- 
come a friend to them, not even though they 
should grow still fewer in number, and be in a 
worse condition than they were. 

11. Whenever any one did him a kindness or 
an injury, he showed himself anxious to go be- 
yond him in those respects ; and some used to 
mention a wish of his, that " he desired to live 
long enough to outdo both those who had done 
him good, and those who had done him ill, in the 
requital that he should make." 12. Accordingly 
to him alone of the men of our days were so 
great a number of people desirous of committing 
the disposal of their property, their cities, and 
their own persons. 

13. Yet no one could with truth say this of 
him, that he suffered the criminal or unjust to 
deride his authority ; for he of all men inflicted 
punishment most unsparingly ; and there were 
often to be seen, along the most frequented 
roads, men deprived of their feet, or hands, or 
eyes ; so that in Cyrus's dominions, it was pos- 



CH. 9.] CHARACTER OF CYRUS. 49 

sible for any one, Greek or Barbarian, who did 
no wrong, to travel without fear whithersoever 
he pleased, and having with him whatever might 
suit his convenience. 

14. To those who showed abilitv for war, it is 
acknowledged that he paid distinguished honour. 
His first war was with the Pisidians and Mysians ; 
and, marching in person into these countries, he 
made those, whom he saw voluntarily hazarding 
their lives in his service, governors over the 
territory that he subdued, and distinguished them 
with rewards in other ways. 15. So that the 
brave appeared to be the most fortunate of men, 
while the cowardly were deemed fit only to be 
their slaves. There were, therefore, great num- 
bers of persons who voluntarily exposed them- 
selves to danger, wherever they thought that 
Cyrus would become aware of their exertions. 

16. With regard to justice, if any appeared to 
him inclined to display that virtue, he made a 
point of making such men richer than those who 
sought to profit by injustice. 17. Accordingly, 
while in many other respects his affairs were 
administered judiciously, he likewise possessed 
an army worthy of the name. For it was not 
for money that generals and captains came from 
foreign lands to enter into his service, but be- 
cause they were persuaded that to serve Cyrus 
w r ell^ would be more profitable than any amount 
of monthly pay. 18. Besides, if any one exe- 
cuted his orders in a superior manner, he never 
suffered his diligence to go unrewarded ; conse- 
quently, in every undertaking, the best qualified 
officers were said to be ready to assist him. 



50 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

19. If he noticed any one that was a skilful 
manager, with strict regard to justice, stocking 
the land of which he had the direction, and 
securing income from it, he would never take 
anything from such a person, but was ever ready 
to give him something in addition ; so that men 
laboured with cheerfulness, acquiring property 
with confidence, and made no concealment from 
Cyrus of what each possessed ; for he did not 
appear to envy those who amassed riches openly, 
but to endeavour to bring into use the wealth of 
those who concealed it. 

20. Whatever friends he made, and felt to be 
well-disposed to him, and considered to be capa- 
ble of assisting him in anything that he might 
wish to accomplish, he is acknowledged by all to 
have been most successful in attaching them to 
him. 21. For, on the very same account on 
which he thought that he himself had need of 
friends, namely, that he might have cooperators 
in his undertakings, did he endeavor to prove an 
efficient assistant to his friends in whatever he 
perceived any of them desirous of effecting. 

22. He received, for many reasons, more pres- 
ents than perhaps any other single individual ; 
and these he outdid every one else in distributing 
amongst his friends, having a view to the charac- 
ter of each, and to what he perceived each most 
needed. 23. Whatever presents any one sent 
him of articles of personal ornament, whether 
for warlike accoutrement, or merely for dress, 
concerning these, they said, he used to remark, 
that he could not decorate his own person with 
them all, but that he thought friends well 



CH. 9.] CHARACTER OF CYRUS. 51 

equipped were the greatest ornament a man 
could have. 24. That he should outdo his 
friends, indeed, in conferring great benefits, is 
not at all wonderful, since he was so much more 
able v but, that he should surpass his friends in 
kind attentions, and an anxious desire to oblige, 
appears to me far more worthy of admiration. 
25. Frequently, when he had wine served him 
of a peculiarly fine flavour, he would send half- 
emptied flagons of it to some of his friends, with 
a message to this effect : " Cyrus has not for 
some time met with pleasanter wine than this ; 
and he has therefore sent some of it to you, and 
begs you will drink it to-day, with those whom 
you love best." 26. He would often, too, send 
geese partly eaten, and the halves of loaves, and 
other such things, desiring the bearer to say, in 
presenting them, " Cyrus has been delighted 
with these, and therefore wishes you also to taste 
of them." 

27. Wherever provender was scarce, but he 
himself, from having many attendants, and from 
the care which he took, was able to procure 
some, he would send it about, and desire his 
friends to give that provender to the horses that 
carried them, so that hungry steeds might not 
carry his friends. 28. Whenever he rode out, 
and many were likely to see him, he would call 
to him his friends, and hold earnest conversation 
with them, that he might show whom he held in 
honour; so that, from what I have heard, I 
should think that no one was ever beloved by a 
greater number of persons, either Greeks or 
Barbarians. 29. Of this fact the following is a 



52 • THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [fi. I. 

proof; that no one deserted to the king from 
Cyrus, though only a subject, (except that 
Orontes attempted to do so ; but he soon found 
the person whom he believed faithful to him, 
more a friend to Cyrus than to himself,) while 
many came over to Cyrus from the king, after 
they became enemies to each other ; and these, 
too, men who were greatly beloved by the king ; 
for they felt persuaded, that if they proved 
themselves brave soldiers under Cyrus, they 
would obtain from him more adequate rewards 
for their services than from the kino;. 

30. What occurred also at the time of his 
death, is a great proof, as well that he himself 
was a man of merit, as that he could accurately 
distinguish such as were trust-worthy, well dis- 
posed, and constant in their attachment. 31. For 
when he was killed, all his friends, and the par- 
takers of his table, who were with him, fell 
fighting in his defence, except Ariaeus, who had 
been posted, in command of the cavalry, on 
the left ; and, when he learned that Cyrus had 
fallen in the battle, he took to flight, with all 
the troops which he had under his command. 



CHAPTER X. 



The head and right-hand of Cyrus cut off. Artaxerxes pur- 
sues Ariteus, plunders the camp of Cyrus, and then returns 
to attack the victorious Greeks, who put him to flight, re- 
cover what he had seized, and return to their camp. 

l. The head and right-hand of Cyrus were 
then cut off. The king, and the troops that 



CH. 10.] PLUNDER OF THE CAMP OF CYRUS. 53 

were with him, engaging in pursuit, fell upon 
the camp of Cyrus ; when the soldiers of Ariaeus 
no longer stood their ground, but fled through 
their camp to the station whence they had last 
started; which was said to be four parasangs 
distant. 2. The king and his followers seized 
upon many other things, and also captured the 
Phocasan woman, the mistress of Cyrus, who 
was said to be both accomplished and beautiful. 
3. His younger mistress, a native of Miletus, 
being taken by some of the king's soldiers, fled 
for refuge, without her outer garment, to the 
party of Greeks, who were stationed under arms 
to guard the baggage, and who, drawing them- 
selves up for defence, killed several of the pil- 
lagers ; and some of their own number also fell ; 
yet they did not flee, but saved not only the 
woman, but all the rest of the property and 
people that were in their quarters. 

4. The king and the main body of Greeks 
were now distant from each other about thirty 
stadia, the Greeks pursuing those that had been 
opposed to them, as if they had conquered all ; 
the Persians engaged in plundering, as if they 
were wholly victorious. 5. But when the Greeks 
found that the king with his troops was amongst 
their baggage ; and the king, on the other hand, 
heard from Tissaphernes, that the Greeks had 
routed that part of his line which had been 
opposed to them, and were gone forward in pur- 
suit, the king, on his part, collected his forces, 
and formed them in line again ; while Clearchus, 
on the other side, calling to him Proxenus, who 
happened to be nearest to him, consulted with 



54 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

him whether they should send a detachment to 
the camp, or proceed, all of them together, to 
relieve it. G. In the mean time, the king was 
observed again approaching them, as it seemed, 
in their rear. The Greeks, wheeling round, 
prepared to receive him, in the belief that he 
would attack them on that quarter ; the king, 
however, did not lead his troops that way, but 
led them off by the same route by which he had 
before passed on the outside of their left wing; 
taking with him both those who had deserted to 
the Greeks during the engagement, and Tissa- 
phernes with the troops under his command. 

7. Tissaphernes had not fled at the commence- 
ment of the engagement, but had charged through 
the Greek peltasts, close to the banks of the 
river. In breaking through, however, he killed 
not a single man, for the Greeks, opening their 
ranks, struck his men with their swords, and 
hurled their javelins at them. Episthenes of 
Amphipolis had the command of the peltasts, 
and was said to have proved himself an able 
captain. 8. Tissaphernes, therefore, when he 
thus came off with disadvantage, did not turn 
back again, but, proceeding onwards to the 
Grecian camp, met the king there ; and thence 
they now returned together, with their forces 
united in battle-array. 9. When they were 
opposite the left wing of the Greeks, the Greeks 
feared lest they should attack them on that 
wing, and, enclosing them on both sides, should 
cut them off ; they therefore thought it advisable 
to draw back this wing, and to put the river in 
their rear. 10. While they were planning this 



CH. 10.] GREEKS REPULSE BARBARIANS. 55 

manoeuvre, the king, having passed beyond them, 
presented his force opposed to them, in the 
same form in which he had at first come to bat- 
tle ; and when the Greeks saw their enemies 
close at hand, and drawn up for fight, they again 
sang the psean, and advanced upon them with 
much greater spirit than before. 11. The Bar- 
barians, on the other hand, did not await their 
onset, but fled sooner than at first; and the 
Greeks pursued them as far as a certain village, 
where the^ halted ; 12. for above the village was 
a hill, upon which the king's troops had checked 
their flight, and though there were no longer 
any infantry there, the height was filled with 
cavalry ; so that the Greeks could not tell what 
was doing. They said, that they saw the royal 
standard, a golden eagle upon a spear, with ex- 
panded wings. 

13. But as the Greeks were on the point of 
proceeding thither, the cavalry too left the hill ; 
not indeed in a body, but some in one direction 
and some in another; and thus the hill was 
gradually thinned of cavalry, till at last they 
were all gone. 14. Clearchus, however, did not 
march up the hill, but, stationing his force at its 
foot, sent Lycius the Syracusan and another up 
the hill, and ordered them, after taking a view 
from the summit, to report to him what was 
passing on the other side. 15. Lycius accord- 
ingly rode thither, and having made his observa- 
tions, brought word that the enemy were fleeing 
with precipitation. Just as these things took 
place, the sun set. 

16. Here the Greeks baited, and piling their 



56 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. I. 

arms, took some rest ; and at the same time they 
wondered that Cyrus himself nowhere made his 
appearance, and that no one else came to them 
from him; for they did not know that he was 
killed, but conjectured that he was either gone 
in pursuit of the enemy, or had pushed forward 
to secure some post. 17. They then deliberated 
whether they should remain in that spot and 
fetch their baggage thither, or return to the 
camp ; and it was resolved to retm a, and they 
arrived at the tents about supper-tim e 18. Such 
was the conclusion of this day. 

They found almost all their baggage, and 
whatever food and drink was with it, plundered 
and wasted ; the waggons, too, full of barley- 
meal and wine, which Cyrus had provided, in 
order that, if ever a great scarcity of provisions 
should fall upon the army, he might distribute 
them amongst the Grecian troops, (and the wag- 
gons, as was said, were four hundred in number,) 
these also the king's soldiers had plundered. 
19. Most of the Greeks consequently remained 
supperless ; and they had also been without 
dinner ; for before the army had halted for dinr 
ner, the king made his appearance. In this 
state they passed the ensuing night. 



CH. 1.] GREEKS HEAR OF DEATH OF CYRUS. 57 



BOOK II. 



CHAPTER I. 

The Greeks are surprised to bear of the death of Cyrus. 
Ariseus resolves to return to Ionia, contrary to the advice 
of Clearchus, who incites him to make an attempt on the 
throne of Persia. Artaxerxes sends a message to the 
Greeks ; their reply. 

1. How the Grecian force was collected for 
Cyrus, when he undertook his expedition against 
his brother Artaxerxes, what occurred in his 
march up the country, how the battle took place, 
how Cyrus was killed, and how the Greeks re- 
turned to their camp and went to rest, in the 
belief that they were completely victorious, and 
that Cyrus was still alive, has been related in 
the preceding book. 

2. When it was day, the generals met together, 
and expressed their surprise that Cyrus had 
neither sent any person to give directions how 
they should act, nor had made his appearance 
himself. It seemed best to them, therefore, to 
pack up what baggage they had, and, arming 
themselves, to march forward till they could 
effect a junction with Cyrus. 3. But when they 
were on the point of starting, just as the sun 
was rising, there came to them Procles, the gov- 
ernor of Teuthrania, (who was descended from 
Damaratus, the Lacedaemonian,) and with him 
Glus, the son of Tamos, who told them that 



58 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

Cyrus was dead, and that Ariaeus, having fled, 
was, with the rest of the Barbarians, at the 
station whence they started the day before ; and 
that he said he would wait for the Greeks that 
day, if they would come to him ; but on the mor- 
row, he said, he should set off for Ionia, from 
whence he had come. 

4. The generals, on hearing this intelligence, 
and the other Greeks, on learning it from them, 
were grievously afflicted; and Clearchus spoke 
thus : " Would that Cyrus were still alive ; but 
since he is no more, carry back word to Ariaeus, 
that we at least are victorious over the king, 
and that, as you see, no enemy any longer offers 
us battle ; and, if you had not come, we should 
have marched against the king ; and we promise 
Ariasus, that, if he will come hither, we will seat 
him on the royal throne ; for to those who con- 
quer, it belongs also to rule." 5. Saying this, 
he dismissed the messengers, and sent with them 
Cheirisophus the Lacedaemonian, and Menon the 
Thessalian ; for Menon himself desired to go. as 
he was connected with Ariseus by ties of friend- 
ship and hospitality. 

6. AVhile they departed on their mission 
Clearchus waited where he was ; and the troops 
supplied themselves with food, as well as they 
could, from the carcasses of their baggage-cattle, 
slaughtering their oxen and asses; and, going a 
little way in front of the line, to the place where 
the battle was fought, they collected and used as 
fuel, not only the arrows, which lay in great 
quantities, and which the Greeks had compelled 
the deserters from the king to throw down, but 






CH. i.] king's message to the greeks. 59 

also the wicker shields of the Persians and the 
wooden ones of the Egyptians ; and there were 
also many other light shields, and waggons 
emptied of their contents, to be taken away; 
using all which materials to cook the meat, they 
appeased their hunger for that day. 

7. It was now about the middle of the fore- 
noon, when some heralds arrived from the king 
and Tissaphernes, all of them Barbarians, except 
one, a Greek named Phalinus, who chanced to 
be with Tissaphernes, and was highly esteemed 
by him, for he had pretensions to skill in the 
exercise of heavy arms. 8. These persons hav- 
ing approached and asked to speak with the 
commanders of the Greeks, told them, " that the 
king, since he had gained the victory and slain 
Cyrus, required the Greeks to deliver up their 
arms, and go to the gates of the king, and try 
to obtain, if they could, some favour from him." 
9. Thus spoke the king's heralds ; and the 
Greeks heard them with no small concern ; but 
Clearchus only said, " that it was not the part 
of conquerors to deliver up their arms : but," 
he continued, " do you, fellow-captains, give 
these men such an answer as you think most 
honorable and proper; and I will return im- 
mediately ; " for one of the attendants just then 
called him away to inspect the entrails which 
had been taken out of the victim, as he hap- 
pened to be engaged in sacrifice. 10. Cleanor 
the Arcadian, the oldest of them, then an- 
swered, that " they would die before they would 
deliver up their arms." " For my part," said 
Proxenus the Theban, "I wonder, Phalinus, 



60 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

whether it is as conqueror that the king asks for 
our arms, or as gifts in friendship ; for if as con- 
queror why should he ask for them at all, and 
not rather come and take them? But if he 
wishes to get them by persuasion, let him say 
what will be left to the soldiers* if they gratify 
him in this particular." 11. To this Phalinus 
replied, "The king considers himself the con- 
queror, since he has slain Cyrus. For who is 
there now that disputes the sovereignty with 
him ? And he also looks upon yourselves as his 
captives, having you here in the middle of his 
dominions, and enclosed within impassable rivers ; 
and being able to lead such multitudes against 
you, as, though he gave them into your power, 

it would be impossible for you to destroy."^ - 

12. After him, Theopompus, an Athenian, 
spoke thus : " O Phalinus, we have now, as you 
see, nothing to avail us, except our arms and 
our valour. While we retain our arms, we may 
hope to profit by our valour ; but if we were to 
give them up, we should expect to be deprived 
also of our lives. Do not suppose, therefore, 
that we shall give up to you the only things of 
value that we possess ; but, with these in our 
hands, we will even fight for whatever of value 
you possess." 13. On hearing him speak thus, 
Phalinus smiled and said, " You seem like a 
philosopher, young man, and express yourself 
not without grace ; but be assured that you are 
out of your senses if you imagine that your 
valour will prove victorious over the might of 
the king." 14. But it was reported that certain 
others of the generals, giving way to their fears, 



CH. 1.] CLEARCHUS ASKS FOR ADVICE. 61 

said that they had been faithful to Cyrus, and 
might likewise prove of great service to the 
king, if he were willing to become their friend ; 
and that whether he might wish to employ them 
in any other service, or in an expedition agaiust 
Egypt, they would assist him in reducing it." 

15. In the mean time Clearchus returned, and 
asked w T hether they had yet given their answer. 
Phalinus, in reply, said, "Your companions, O 
Clearchus, give each a different answer; and 
now tell us what you have to say." 16. Clear- 
chus then said, " I was glad to see you, O Phali- 
nus, and so, I dare say, were all the rest of us ; 
for you are a Greek, as we also are ; and, being 
so many in number as you see, and placed in 
such circumstances, w r e would advise with you 
how we should act with regard to the message 
that you bring. 17. Give us then, I entreat you 
by the gods, such advice as seems to you most 
honorable and advantageous, and such as will 
bring you honour in time to come, when it is 
related, that Phalinus, being once sent from the 
king to require the Greeks to deliver up their 
arms, gave them, when they consulted him, such 
and such counsel ; for you know that whatever 
counsel you do give, will necessarily be reported 
in Greece." 

18. Clearchus craftily threw out this sugges- 
tion, with the desire that the very person who 
rom the king, should advise 
ip their arms, in order that 
the Greeks migl to conceive better hopes. 

But Phalinus, adi ding the appeal, spoke, 

contrary to his expt batio -follows: 19. "If, 



62 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

out of ten thousand hopeful chances, you have 
any single one, of saving yourselves by continu- 
ing in arms against the king, I advise you not to 
deliver up your arms ; but if you have not a 
single hope of safety in opposing the king's 
pleasure, I advise you to save yourselves in the 
only way in which it is possible." 20. Clearchus 
rejoined, " Such, then, is your advice ; but on 
our part return this answer, that we are of 
opinion, that, if we are to be friends with the 
king, we shall be more valuable friends if we 
retain our arms, than if we surrender them to 
another ; but that if we must make war against 
him, we should make war better if we retain our 
arms, than if we give them up to another. 1 * 21. 
Phalinus said, u This answer, then, we will re- 
port : but the king desired us also to inform you, 
that while you remain in this place, a truce is 
to be considered as existing between him and 
you ; but, if you advance or retreat, there is to 
be war. Give us, therefore, your answer on this 
point also ; whether you will remain here, and a 
truce is to exist, or whether I shall announce 
from you, that there is war." 22. Clearchus re- 
plied, " Report, therefore, on this point also, that 
our resolution is the same as that of the king." 
" And what is that ? " said Phalinus. Clearchus 
replied, " If we stay here, a truce ; but if we 
retreat or advance, war." 23. Phalinus again 
asked him, "Is it a truce that I 

report?" Clearchus aga 1 '^ 
swer : " A truce, if we and i 

or advance, war." B' at he intended to 

do, he gave no inthr 



CH. 2.] ARI^EUS AND THE GREEKS. 63 



CHAPTER II. 

The Greeks, joining Ariseus, form an alliance with him, and 
take counsel with him in reference to their return. During 
the night following the first day's march they are seized 
with a panic, which Clearchus allays. 

l. Phalinus and his companions departed ; 
and there now returned, from their interview 
with Ariseus, Procles and Cheirisophus ; Menon 
had remained there with Ariseus. They re- 
ported, " that Ariseus said that there were many 
Persians, of superior rank to himself, who 
would not endure that he should be king ; but," 
he adds, " if you wish to return with him, he 
desires you to come to him this very night ; if 
you do not, he says that he will set out by him- 
self early in the morning." 2. Clearchus re- 
joined, " And we must certainly do as you say, 
if we determine to go to him ; but if not, adopt 
for yourselves such measures as you may think 
most for your advantage ; " for not even to them 
did he disclose what he in tended to do. 

3. But afterwards, when the sun was setting, 
having assembled the generals and captains, he 
spoke as follows : " My friends, when I offered 
a sacrifice with reference to marching against 
the king, the signs of the victims were not 
favourable, and indeed it was with good cause 
that they were not so ; for as I now learn, there 
is between us and the king the river Tigris, a 
navigable river, which we could not cross with- 
out vessels ; and vessels we have none. Yet it 
is not possible to remain here ; for we have no 
means of procuring provisions. But for going 



64 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

to the friends of Cyrus, the sacrifices were ex- 
tremely favourable. 4. We must accordingly 
proceed thus : when we separate, we must sup, 
each of us on what he has ; when the signal is 
given with the horn as if for going to rest, pro- 
ceed to pack up your baggage ; when it sounds 
the second time, place it on your baggage-cattle ; 
and, at the third signal, follow him who leads 
the way, keeping your baggage-cattle next the 
river, and the heavy-armed troops on the out- 
side." 5. The generals and captains, after 
listening to this address, went away, and did as 
he directed ; and thenceforth he commanded, and 
the others obeyed, not indeed having elected him 
commander, but perceiving that he alone pos- 
sessed such qualifications as a leader ought to 
have, and that the rest of them were compara- 
tively inexperienced. 

6. The computation of the route which they 
had. come from Ephesus in Ionia to the field of 
battle, was ninety-three days' march, and iive 
hundred and thirty-five parasangs, or sixteen 
thousand and fifty stadia ; and the distance from 
the field of battle to Babylon was said to be 
three hundred and sixty stadia. 

7. Here, as soon as it was dark, Miltocythes 
the Thracian deserted to the king, with about 
forty horse that he commanded, and nearly three 
hundred of the Thracian infantry. 8. Clearchus 
led the way for the rest, in the prescribed order ; 
and they followed, ancl arrived at the first halt- 
ing-place, to join Ariaeus and his troops about 
midnight; and the generals and captains of the 
Greeks, having drawn up their men under arms, 



CH. 2.] AKLEUS AND THE GREEKS. 65 

went in a body to Ariseus ; when the Greeks on 
the one hand, and Ariseus and his principal 
officers on the other, took an oath not to betray 
each other, and to be true allies ; and the Bar- 
barians took another oath, that they would lead 
the way without treachery. 9. These oaths 
they took after sacrificing a bull, a wolf, a boar, 
and a ram, over a shield, the Greeks dipping a 
sword, and the Barbarians a lance, into the 
blood. 

10. When these pledges of mutual fidelity 
were given, Clearchus said : " Since then, 
Ariasus, our route and yours is now the same, 
tell us, what is your opinion with respect to our 
course ; whether we shall return the way we 
came, or whether you consider that you have 
thought of a better way." n. Ariaeus replied : 
" If we were to return the way we came, we 
should all perish of hunger; for we have now 
no supply of provisions ; and for the last seven- 
teen days' march, even when we were coming 
hither, we could procure nothing from the coun- 
try through which we passed ; or, if anything 
was to be found there, we consumed it ourselves 
in our passage. But now we propose to take a 
longer road, but one in which we shall not want 
for provisions. 12. We must make the first 
days' marches as long as we can, that we may 
remove ourselves to the greatest possible dis- 
tance from the king's army ; for if we once es- 
cape two or three days' journey from him, the 
king will no longer be able to overtake us ; 
since he will not dare to pursue us with a small 
force ; and, with a numerous army, he will not 



6G THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

be able to march fast enough, and will probably 
experience a scarcity of provisions. " Such," 
he concluded, " is my opinion." 

13. This scheme for conducting the army was 
calculated for nothing else than to effect an es- 
cape, clandestinely or openly, by flight. But 
fortune proved a better leader ; for as soon as it 
was day they began their march, with the sun 
on their right, expecting to arrive about sunset 
at some villages in the Babylonian territory ; 
and in this expectation they were not disap- 
pointed. 14. But, in the afternoon, they thought 
that they perceived some of the enemy's cavalry ; 
and those of the Greeks w T ho happened not to 
be in their ranks, ran to their places in the 
ranks ; and Ariasus (for he was riding in a wag- 
gon because he had been wounded) came down 
and put on his armour, as did those who were 
with him. 15. But while they were arming 
themselves, the scouts that had been sent for- 
ward returned, and reported that they were not 
cavalry, but baggage-cattle grazing ; and every 
one immediately concluded that the king was 
encamped somewhere near. Smoke also w^as 
seen rising from some villages not far distant. 
16. Clearchus however did not lead his troops 
against the enemy ; (for he was aware that his 
soldiers were tired and in want of food ; and be- 
sides it was now late ; ) yet he did not turn out 
of his way, taking care not to appear to flee, but 
continued his march in a direct line, and took up 
his quarters with his vanguard, just at sunset, in 
the nearest villages, from which even the wood- 
work of the houses had been carried off by the 



CH. 2.] TANIC IN THE GREEK CAMP. 67 

king's troops. 17. These, therefore, who were 
in advance, encamped with some degree of regu- 
larity 5 but those who followed, coming up in the 
dark, took up with such quarters as they chanced 
to find, and made so much noise in calling to 
each other, that even the enemy heard them; 
and those of the enemy stationed nearest, fled 
from their encampments. 18. That this had 
been the case, became apparent on the following 
day ; for there was no longer a single beast of 
burden to be seen, nor any camp, nor smoke 
anywhere near. The king had been alarmed, as 
it seemed, by the sudden approach of the Gre- 
cian army ; and of this he gave proof by what 
he did on the following clay. 

19. However in the course of this night, a 
panic fell upon the Greeks themselves, and there 
arose such noise and commotion in their camp as 
usually ensues on the occurrence of sudden ter- 
ror. 20. Upon this, Clearchus ordered Tolmides, 
an Eleian, whom he happened to have with him, 
the best herald of his time, to command silence; 
and proclaim, that " the generals give notice, 
that whoever will give information of the per- 
son who turned the ass among the arms, shall 
receive a reward of a talent of silver." 21. On 
this proclamation being made, the soldiers were 
convinced that their alarm was groundless, and 
their generals were safe. At break of day, 
Clearchus issued orders for the Greeks to form 
themselves under arms, in the same order in 
which they had been when the battle took place. 



68 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. U. 

CHAPTER III. 

The king proposes a truce, and supplies the Greeks with pro- 
visions during the negotiation. Three days after he sends 
Tissaphernes to them, to ask why they had engaged in hos- 
tilities against him ; he is answered by Clearchus. A 
treaty is then concluded, the king engaging to send home 
the Greeks under the conduct of Tissaphernes, and the 
Greeks promising to do no injury to the countries through 
which they should pass. 

l. What I just now stated, that the king 
was alarmed at the approach of the Greeks, be- 
came evident by what followed ; for though, 
when he sent to them on the preceding day, he 
desired them to deliver up their arms, he now, 
at sunrise, sent heralds to negotiate a truce. 
2. These heralds, upon arriving at the outposts, 
requested to speak with the commanders. Their 
request being reported by the guards, Clearchus, 
who happened then to be inspecting the several 
divisions, told the guards to desire the heralds 
to wait till he should be at leisure. 3. When he 
had arranged the army in such a manner as to 
present on every side the fair appearance of a 
compact phalanx, and so that none of the un- 
armed were to be seen, he called for the heralds 
and came forward himself, having about him the 
best-armed and the best-looking of his soldiers, 
and told the other leaders to do the same. 
4. When he drew near the messengers, he asked 
them what they wanted. They replied, " that 
they came to negotiate a truce, with full 
powers to communicate with the Greeks on 
behalf of the king, and with the king on be- 
half of the Greeks." 5. Clearchus answered, 
"Tell the king, then, that we must come to 



CH. 3.] THE KING PROPOSES A TRUCE. 69 

battle first ; for we have no breakfast ; and 
there is no one who will dare to talk to the 
Greeks of a truce, without first supplying them 
with breakfast." 

6. On hearing this answer, the messengers 
departed, but soon returned ; from whence it 
was apparent that the king, or some other per- 
son to whom a commission had been given to 
conduct the negotiation, was somewhere near. 
They brought word, "that the king thought 
what they said was reasonable, and that they 
now came with guides, who, in case the truce 
should be settled, would conduct the Greeks to a 
place where they might procure provisions." 
7. Clearchus then inquired, whether the king 
would grant the benefit of the truce to those 
only who went to him, on their way thither and 
back, or whether the truce would be with the 
rest as well. The messengers replied, " With 
all ; until what you have to say is communicated 
to the king." 8. When they had said this, 
Clearchus, directing them to withdraw, delib- 
erated with the other officers ; and they pro- 
posed to conclude the truce at once, and to go 
after the provisions at their ease, and supply 
themselves. 9. And Clearchus said, " I too am 
of that opinion. I will not, however, announce 
our determination immediately, but will wait till 
the messengers begin to be uneasy lest we should 
determine not to conclude the truce. And yet," 
said he, "I suspect that a similar apprehension 
will arise among our own soldiers.' ' When he 
thought therefore that the proper time had 
arrived, he announced to the messengers that he 



70 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

agreed to the truce, and desired them to conduct 
him forthwith to the place where the provisions 
were. 

10. They accordingly led the way ; and Clear- 
chus proceeded to conclude the truce, keeping 
his army however in battle array ; the rear he 
brought up himself. They met with ditches 
and canals so full of water that they could not 
cross without bridges ; but they made crossings 
of the palm-trees which had fallen, and others 
which they cut down. 11. Here it might be 
seen how Clearchus performed the duties of a 
commander, holding his spear in his left hand, 
and a staff in his right; and if any of those 
ordered to the work seemed to him to loiter at it, 
he would select a fit object for punishment, and 
give him a beating, and would lend his assis- 
tance himself, leaping into the midst, so that 
all were ashamed not to share his industry. 
12. The men of thirty and under only had been 
appointed by him to the work ; but the older 
men, when they saw Clearchus thus busily em- 
ployed, gave their assistance likewise. 13. 
Clearchus made so much the more haste, as he 
suspected that the ditches were not always so 
full of water; (for it was not the season for 
irrigating the ground ; ) but thought that the 
king had let out the water upon the plain, in or- 
der that even now there might appear to the 
Greeks to be many difficulties in the march. 

14. Proceeding on their way, they arrived at 
some villages, from which the guides signified 
that they might procure provisions. In these 
villages there was great plenty of corn, and wine 



CH. 3.] GREEKS CONTINUE THEIR RETREAT. 71 

made from dates, and an acidulous drink ob- 
tained from them by boiling. 15. As to the 
dates themselves, such as those we see in Greece 
were here put aside for the use of the servants ; 
but those which were laid by for their masters, 
were choice fruit, remarkable for beauty and 
size ; their colour was not unlike that of amber ; 
and some of these they dried and preserved as 
sweetmeats. These were a pleasant accompani- 
ment to drink, but apt to cause headache. 16. 
Here too the soldiers for the first . time tasted 
the cabbage from the top of the palm-tree, and 
most of them were agreeably struck both with 
its external appearance and the peculiarity of its 
sweetness. But this also was exceedingly apt 
to give headache. The palm-tree, out of which 
the cabbage had been taken, soon withered 
throughout. 

17. In this place they remained three days, 
when Tissaphernes arrived from the Great King, 
and with him the brother of the king's wife, and 
three other Persians ; and a numerous retinue 
attended them. The generals of the Greeks 
having met them on their arrival, Tissaphernes 
first spoke by an interpreter, to the following 
effect : 18. " I myself dwell, O Greeks, in the 
neighbourhood of your country; and when I 
perceived you fallen into many troubles and 
difficulties, I thought it a piece of good fortune 
if I could in any way press a request upon the 
king to allow me to conduct you in safety back 
to Greece. For I think that such a service 
would be attended with no want of grati- 
tude either from yourselves or from Greece 



72 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

in general. 19. With these considerations, I 
made my request to the king, representing to 
him that he might reasonably grant me this 
favour, because I had been the first to give him 
intelligence that Cyrus was marching against 
him, and at the same time that I brought him 
the intelligence, had come to him with an aux- 
iliary force ; because I alone, of all those opposed 
to the Greeks, did not nee, but, on the contrary, 
charged through the midst of them, and joined 
the king in your camp, whither he came after lie 
had slain Cyrus"; and because, together with 
these who are now present with me, and who 
are his most faithful servants, I engaged in pur- 
suit of the Barbarian part of Cyrus's army. 
20. The king promised to consider of my re- 
quest ; and in the mean time desired me to come 
and ask you, on what account it was that you 
took the field against him ; and I advise you to 
answer with moderation, in order that it may be 
easier for me to secure you whatever advantage 
I can from the king." 

21. The Greeks then withdrew, and, after 
some deliberation, gave their answer, Clearchus 
speaking for them : " We neither formed our- 
selves into a body, with the view of making war 
upon the king, nor, when we set out, was our 
march directed against him ; but Cyrus, as you 
yourself are well aware, devised many pretences 
for his proceedings, that he might both take you 
by surprise, and lead us up hither. 22. But 
when we afterwards saw him in danger, we were 
ashamed, in the face of gods and men, to desert 
him, as we had before allowed him to bestow 



CH. 3.] CLEARCHUS AND TISSAPHERNES. 73 

favours upon us. 23. As Cyrus, however, is now 
dead, we neither dispute the sovereignty with 
the king, nor is there any reason why we should 
desire to do harm to the king's territory; nor 
would we wish to kill him, but would proceed 
homeward, if no one molest us ; but we will en- 
deavour, with the aid of the gods, to avenge 
ourselves on any one that may do us an injury; 
while, if any one does us good, we shall not be 
behind-hand in requiting him to the utmost of 
our power." Thus spoke Clearchus. 24. Tissa- 
phernes, having heard him, said, " I will report 
your answer to the king, and bring back to you 
his reply ; and till I return, let the truce remain 
in force ; and we will provide a market for 
you." 

25. On the following day he did not return ; 
so that the Greeks began to be anxious ; but on 
the third day he came, and said, that he returned 
after having obtained the king's permission to be 
►allowed to save the Greeks ; although many 
spoke against it, saying that it did not become 
the king to suffer men to escape who had en- 
gaged in war against him. 26. In conclusion he 
said, "You may now receive from us solemn 
promises that we will render the country, 
through which you will pass, friendly to you ; 
and will, without treachery, conduct you back to 
Greece, affording you opportunities of purchas- 
ing provisions ; and wheresoever we do not 
afford you an opportunity of purchasing, we 
will allow you to take for yourselves necessaries 
from the adjacent country. 27. On the other 
hand, it will be incumbent upon you to swear to 



74 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

us, that you will march, as through a friendly 
territory, without doing harm, only taking a 
supply of meat and drink, whenever we do 
not give you an opportunity of purchasing, but 
that if we give you such opportunity, you will 
procure your supplies by purchase.' ' 28. These 
conditions were assented to ; and they took the 
oaths, and Tissaphernes and the brother of the 
king's wife gave their right-hands to the generals 
and captains of the Greeks, and received from 
the Greeks theirs in return. 29. After this, 
Tissaphernes said, "And now I shall go back to 
the king; and as soon as I have accomplished 
what I wish, I will come again, after making 
the necessary preparations, for the purpose of 
conducting you back to Greece, and returning 
myself to my province." 



CHAPTER IV. 



The Greeks conceive distrust both of Tissaphernes and 
Ariseus, and resolve to march apart from the Persians. 
They commence their march under the guidance of Tissa- 
phernes, pass the wail of Media, and cross the Tigris. 

l. After these occurrences, the Greeks and 
Ariaeus, encamping near each other, waited for 
Tissaphernes more than twenty days ; in the 
course of which there came to visit Ariseus both 
his brothers and other relations, and certain 
other Persians, to see his companions, and gave 
them encouraging hopes ; some too were the 
bearers of assurances from the king, that he 
would not remember to their disadvantage their 



CH. 4.] SUSPICIONS OF THE GREEKS. 75 

expedition against him under Cyrus, or anything 
else that was past. 2. On these things taking 
place, the followers pf Ariseus evidently began 
to pay the Greeks less attention ; so that, on 
this account, they rendered most of the Greeks 
dissatisfied with them ; and many of them, going 
to Clearchus and the other generals, said, 3. 
" Why do we remain here ? are we not aware 
that the king would wish above all things to 
destroy us, in order that a dread of going to 
war with the Great Monarch may fall upon the 
rest of the Greeks ? For the present, he craft- 
ily protracts our stay, because his forces are 
dispersed ; but, when his army is re-assemblecl, 
it is not possible but that he will attack us. 4. 
Perhaps, too, he is digging some trench, or 
building some wall, that the way may be 
rendered impassable ; for he will never consent, 
at least willingly, that we should go back to 
Greece, and relate how so small a number as we 
are have defeated the king at his own gates, and 
returned after setting him at nought." 

5. To those who thus addressed him, Clear- 
chus answered, "I have been considering all 
these things as well ; but I think that, if we now 
go away, we shall be thought to go with a view 
to war, and to act contrary to the terms of the 
truce. Moreover, in the first place, there will 
be no one to provide us a market, or any means 
of procuring provisions ; and, in the next place, 
there will be no one to guide us ; besides, the 
moment that we do this, Arigeus will separate 
himself from us, so that not a friend will be 
left us ; and, what is more, our former friends 



76 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

will then become our enemies. 6. Whether 
there is any other river for us to cross, I do not 
know ; but as for the Euphrates, we know that 
it is impossible to cross that, if the enemy try 
to prevent us. Nor yet, if it should be neces- 
sary to fight, have we any horse to support us ; 
while the enemy's cavalry is most numerous and 
efficient ; so that, though we were victorious, 
how many of our enemies should we be able *to 
kill ? And, if we were defeated, it would not 
be possible for a man of us to escape. 7. With 
regard to the king, therefore, who is aided by so 
many advantages, I know not, if he wishes to 
effect our destruction, why he should swear, and 
give his right-hand, and perjure himself before 
the gods, and render his pledges faithless both 
to Greeks and Barbarians." He said much be- 
sides to the same effect. 

8. In the mean time Tissaphernes arrived, with 
his army, as if with the view of returning home ; 
and Orontes came with his army. Orontes also 
brought with him the king's daughter, whom he 
had received in marriage. 9. From hence they 
now proceeded on their march, Tissaphernes be- 
ing their guide, and securing them opportunities 
of baying provisions ; Arireus also, with the 
Barbarian troops of Cyrus, marched in company 
with Tissaphernes and Orontes, and encamped 
in common with them. 10. But the Greeks, con- 
ceiving a suspicion of these men, began to 
march by themselves, taking guides of their 
own ; and they always encamped at the distance 
of a parasang, or little less, from each other ; 
and both parties kept on their guard against one 






CH. 4.] THE GREEKS ENCAMP. 77 

another, as if they had been enemies, and this 
consequently increased their mistrustful feelings. 
11. More than once, too, as they were gathering 
fuel, or collecting grass and other such things, in 
the same quarter, they came to blows with each 
other ; and this was an additional source of ani- 
mosity between them. 

12. After marching three days, they arrived 
at the wall of Media, as it is called, and passed 
to the other side of it. This wall was built of 
burnt bricks, laid in bitumen ; it was twenty feet 
in thickness, and a hundred in height, and the 
length of it was said to be twenty parasangs ; 
and it was not far distant from Babylon. 13. 
Hence they proceeded, in two days' march, the 
distance of eight parasangs ; crossing two canals, 
the one by a permanent bridge, the other by a 
temporary one formed of seven boats. These 
canals were supplied by the river Tigris ; and 
from one to the other of them were cut ditches 
across the country, the first of considerable size, 
and the next smaller ; and at last diminutive 
drains, such as are cut in Greece through the 
panic fields. They then arrived at the Tigris; 
near which there was a large and populous city, 
called Sitace, distant from the banks of the river 
only fifteen stadia. 14. In the neigbourhood of 
this city the Greeks encamped, close to an ex- 
tensive and beautiful park, thickly planted with 
all kinds of trees. The Barbarians, though 
they had but just crossed the Tigris, were no 
longer in sight. 

15. After supper Proxenus and Xenophon 
happened to be walking in front of the place 



78 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

where the arms were piled, when a man ap- 
proached, and enquired of the sentinels where 
he could see Proxenus or Clearchus. But he 
did not ask for Menon, though he came from 
Ariseus, Menon's intimate friend. 16. Proxenus 
replying, " I am the person whom you seek," 
the man said, " Ariseus and Artaozus, the faith- 
ful friends of Cyrus, who are interested for your 
welfare, have sent me to you, and exhort you to 
beware lest the Barbarians should fall upon you 
in the night ; for there is a considerable body of 
troops in the adjoining park. 17. They also 
advise you to send a guard to the bridge over 
the Tigris, as Tissaphernes designs to break it 
down in the night, if he can, in order that you 
may not be able to cross the river, but may be 
hemmed in between the river and the canal." 
18. On hearing the man's message, they con- 
ducted him to Clearchus, and told him what he 
had said. When Clearchus heard it he was 
greatly agitated and alarmed. 

19. But a young man, one of those who were 
present, after reflecting a little on the matter, 
observed, "that the imputed designs of making 
an attack, and of breaking down the bridge, 
were not consistent; for," said he, "if they 
attack us, they must certainly either conquer 
or be conquered ; if then they are to conquer 
us, why should they break down the bridge ? for 
even though there were many bridges, we have 
no place where we could save ourselves by 
flight ; 29. but if, on the other hand, we should 
conquer them, then, if the bridge is broken 
down, they will have no place of retreat ; nor 



CH. 4.] BARBARIANS SEND AN ENVOY. 79 

will any of their friends on the other side of the 
river, however numerous, be able to come to 
their assistance when the bridge is destroyed." 
21. After listening to these observations, Clear- 
chus asked the messenger what was the extent 
of the country that lay between the Tigris and 
the canal. He replied, u that it was of con- 
siderable extent, and that there were several 
villages and large towns in it." 22. It was then 
immediately concluded, that the Barbarians had 
sent this man with an underhand object, being 
afraid lest the Greeks, having taken to pieces 
the bridge, should remain in the island, where 
they would have, as defences, the river Tigris 
on the one side, and the canal on the other; and 
might procure a sufficient supply of provisions 
from the country which lay between, and which 
was extensive and fertile, with people in it to 
cultivate it ; and which would also serve as a 
place of refuge to any that might be inclined to 
annoy the king. 

23. They then prepared for rest, but did not 
neglect, however, to send a guard to the bridge ; 
but neither did any one attempt to attack them 
on any quarter, nor did any of the enemies 
come near the bridge, as those who were sta- 
tioned on guard there reported. 

24. As soon as it was day they crossed the 
bridge, which was constructed of thirty-seven 
boats, with every precaution in their power ; fdr 
some of the Greeks, who came from Tissapher- 
nes, stated that the enemy meant to attack them 
as they were crossing ; but this report was also 
false. However, as they were going over, Glus 



80 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

made his appearance, with some others, watch- 
ing to see if they were crossing the river ; and 
when they saw they were, he immediately rode 
away. 

25. From the Tigris they proceeded, in four 
days' march, a distance of twenty parasangs, to 
the river Physcus, which was a plethrum in 
breadth, and over which was a bridge. Here 
was situate a large town, called Opis ; near 
which an illegitimate brother of Cyrus and 
Artaxerxes, who was leading a numerous army 
from Susa and Ecbatana, with the intention of 
assisting the king, met the Greeks, and, order- 
ing his troops to halt, took a view of the Greeks 
as they passed by. 26. Clearchus marched his 
men two abreast, and halted occasionally on the 
way ; and as long as the van of the army halted, 
so long there was necessarily a halt throughout 
the whole of the line ; so that even to the 
Greeks themselves their army seemed very 
large, and the Persians was amazed at the sight 
of it. 

27. Hence they proceeded through Media, six 
days' march through a desert country, a distance 
of thirty parasangs, when they arrived at the 
villages of Pary satis, the mother of Cyrus and 
the king; which Tissaphernes, in mockery of 
Cyrus, gave permission to the Greeks to plunder 
of everything except the slaves. There was 
found in them a great quantity of corn, and 
sheep, and other property. 28. Hence they ad- 
vanced in a march of five days more through 
the desert, a distance of twenty parasangs, hav- 
ing the Tigris on their left. At the end of the 



CH. 5.] CLEARCHUS HALTS. 81 

first day's march there was situate on the oppo- 
site bank of the river a large and opulent city, 
called Camae, whence the Barbarians brought 
over, on rafts made of hide a supply of bread, 
cheese, and wine. 



CHAPTER V. 

After a three days' halt on the river Zabatus, Clearchus en- 
deavours to put an end to the distrust between the Persians 
and the Greeks by an interview with Tissaphernes. He is 
received so plausibly that he is induced to return on the fol- 
lowing day> accompanied by five other generals and twenty 
captains, in expectation of being informed of the persons 
who had excited, by false reports, ill feelings between the 
two armies. The generals are conducted into the tent and 
put to death ; the captains and those with them are massa- 
cred on the outside, one only escaping to tell the tale. 
Ariseus calls on the rest of the Greeks to surrender their 
arms, but is answered with defiance. 

1. Soon after, they arrived at the river Zaba- 
tus, the breadth of which was four plethra. 
Here they remained three days ; during which 
the same suspicions continued, but no open indi- 
cations of treachery appeared. 2. Clearchus 
therefore resolved to have a meeting with Tis- 
saphernes, and, if it was at all possible, to put a 
stop to these suspicions, before open hostilities 
should arise from them. He accordingly sent a 
person to say, that he wished to have a meeting 
with Tissaphernes ; who at once requested him 
to come. 3. When they met, Clearchus spoke 
as follows : " I am aware, O Tissaphernes, that 
oaths have been taken, and right-hands pledged 
between us, that we will do no injury to each 
other : nevertheless, I observe you on your 






82 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

guard against us, as though we were enemies ; 
and we, perceiving this, stand on our guard 
against you. 4. But since, upon attentive ob- 
servation, I can neither detect you in any at- 
tempt to injure us, and, since, as I am certain, 
we have no such intentions towards you, it 
seemed proper for me to come to a conference 
with you, that we may put an end, if we can, 
to our distrust of one another. 5. For I have, 
before now, known instances of men, who, being 
in fear of another, some through direct accusa- 
tions, and others through mere suspicion, have, 
in their eagerness to act before they suffered, 
inflicted irremediable evils upon those who nei- 
ther intended nor wished anything of the kind. 
6. Thinking, therefore, that such misunder- 
standings may be best cleared up by personal 
communications, I have come here, and am de- 
sirous to convince you that you have no just 
ground for mistrusting us. 7. In the first and 
principal place, the oaths, which we have sworn 
by the gods, forbid us to be enemies to each 
other ; and I should never consider him to be 
envied who is conscious of having disregarded 
such obligations ; for from the vengeance of the 
gods I know not with what speed any one could 
Hee so as to escape, or into what darkness he 
could steal away, or how he could retreat into 
any stronghold, since all things, in all places, are 
subject to the gods ; and they have power over 
all everywhere alike. 8. Such are my senti- 
ments respecting the gods, and the oaths which 
we swore by them, in whose keeping' we de- 
posited the friendship that we cemented ; but 



CH. 5.] SPEECH OF CLEARCHUS. 83 

among human advantages, I, for my own part, 
consider you to be the greatest that we at pre- 
sent possess ; 9. for with your assistance, every 
road is easy, every river is passable, and there 
will be no want of provisions ; but without you 
all our way would lie through darkness, (for we 
know nothing of it,) every river would be diffi- 
cult to pass, and every multitude of men would 
be terrible ; but solitude most f errible of all, as 
it is full of extreme perplexity. 10. And even 
if we should be so mad as to kill you, what else 
would be the consequence, than that, having 
slain our benefactor, we should have to contend 
with the king as your most powerful avenger ? 
For my own part, of how many and how great 
expectations I should deprive myself, if I at- 
tempted to do you any injury, I will make you 
acquainted. n. I was desirous that Cyrus 
should be my friend, as I thought him, of all 
the men of his time, the most able to benefit 
those whom he wished to favour. But I now 
see that you are in the possession both of the 
power and the territory of Cyrus, while you 
still retain your own province, and that the 
power of the king, which was opposed to Cyrus, 
is ready to support you. 12. Such being the 
case, who is so mad as not to wish to be your 
friend ? 

" But I will mention also the circumstances 
from which I derive hopes that you will your- 
self desire to be our friend. 13. I am aware 
that the Mysians give you much annoyance, and 
these, I have no doubt, I should be able, with 
my present force, to render subservient to you ; 



84 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

I am aware also that the Pisidians molest you ; 
and I hear that there are many such nations be- 
sides, which I think I could prevent from ever 
disturbing your tranquility. As for the Egypt- 
ians, against whom I perceive you are most of 
all incensed, I do not see what auxiliary force 
you could use to chastise them better than that 
which I now have with me. 14. If, again, 
among the states that lie around you, you were 
desirous to become a friend to any one, you 
might prove the most powerful of friends ; and 
if any of them gave you any annoyance, you 
might, by our instrumentality, deal with them as 
a master, as we should serve you not for the 
sake of pay merely, but from gratitude, which 
we should justly feel towards you if we were 
saved by your means. 15. When I consider all 
these things, it appears to me so surprising that 
you should distrust us, that I would most gladly 
hear the name of him who is so persuasive a 
speaker as to make you believe that we are 
forming designs against you." 

Thus spoke Clearchus. Tissaphernes replied 
as follows : 16. " I am delighted, O Clearchus, 
to hear your judicious observations ; for, with 
these sentiments, if you were to meditate any- 
thing to my injury, you would appear to be at 
the same time your own enemy. But that you 
may be convinced that you have no just cause 
for distrusting either the king or me, listen to 
me in your turn. 17. If we wished to destroy 
you, do we appear to you to be deficient in 
numbers either of cavalry or infantry, or in 
warlike equipments, with the aid of which we 



CH. 5.] TISSAPHERNES ANSWERS CLEARCHUS. 85 

might be able to clo you injury, without danger 
of suffering any in return ? 18. Or do we seem 
to you likely to be in want of suitable places 
to make an attack upon you ? Are there not so 
many plains, which, as the inhabitants of them 
are friendly to us, you traverse with exceeding 
toil ? See you not so many mountains before 
you to be crossed, which we might, by pre- 
occupying them, render impassable to you ? Or 
are there not so many rivers, at which we might 
parcel you out, as many at a time as we might 
be willing to engage ? Some of these rivers, 
indeed, you could not cross at all, unless we se- 
cured you a passage. 19. But even supposing 
that we were baffled in all these points, yet fire 
at least would prove its power over the produce 
of the soil ; by burning which, we could set 
famine in array against you, which, though you 
were the bravest of the brave, you would find it 
difficult to withstand, v^o. How then, having 
so maiw means of waging war with you, and 
none of them attended with danger to ourselves, 
should we select from amongst them all this 
mode, the only one that is impious in the sight 
of the gods, the only one that is disgraceful in 
the sight of men ? 21. It belongs, altogether, 
to men who are destitute of means, deprived of 
every resource, and under the coercion of neces- 
sity, and at the same time devoid of principle, to 
seek to effect their purposes by perjury towards 
the gods, and breach of faith towards men. We, 
O Clearchus, are not so foolish or so inconsider- 
ate ; 22. or why, when we have the opportunity 
of effecting ^our destruction, have we made no 



86 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

such attempt ? Be well assured, that the cause 
of this was my desire to prove myself faithful 
to the Greeks, and, in consequence of doing 
them service, to return supported by that very 
body of foreign troops, to whom Cyrus, when 
he went up, trusted only on account of the pay 
that he gave them. 23. As to the particulars in 
which you will be of service to me, some of 
them you have enumerated, but of the greatest 
of all 1 am myself fully conscious ; for though 
it is permitted to the king alone to wear the 
turban upright on the head, yet perhaps an- 
other than he may, with your assistance, wear 
that upright which is on the heart." 

24. Tissaphernes, in speaking thus, seemed to 
Clearchus to speak with sincerity, and he re- 
plied, " Do not those, then, who endeavour by 
calumny to make us enemies, when there are 
such strong inducements to friendship between 
us, deserve the severest punishment ? " 25. 
"Well, then," said Tibsaphernes, "if you will 
come to me, as well generals as captains, in a 
public manner, I will inform you who they are 
that tell me that you are forming plots against 
me and my army." 26. " I will bring them all," 
said Clearchus, "and, on my part, will let you 
know the quarter whence I hear reports respect- 
ing you." 27. After this conversation, Tissa- 
phernes, behaving to Clearchus with much 
courtesy, desired him to stay with him, and 
made him his guest at supper. 

On the following day, when Clearchus re- 
turned to the camp, he plainly showed that he 
considered himself to be on the most friendly 



CH. 5.] DEATH OF CLEARCHUS. 87 

footing with Tissaphernes, and stated what he 
had proposed ; and he said that those must go to 
Tissaphernes, whose presence he required, and 
that whoever of the Greeks should be proved 
guilty of uttering the alleged calumnies, must 
be punished as traitors, and persons ill-affected 
to the Greeks. 28. It was Menon that he sus- 
pected of making the charges, as he knew that 
he had had an interview with Tissaphernes in 
company with Ariaeus, and was forming a party 
and intriguing against himself, in order that, 
having gained the whole army over to his own 
interests, he might secure the friendship of Tis- 
saphernes. 29. Clearchus likewise wished the 
whole army to have their affections fixed on 
himself, and troublesome rivals to be removed 
out of his way. 

Some of the soldiers urged, in opposition to 
his advice, that all the captains and generals 
should not go, and that they ought to place no 
confidence in Tissaphernes. 30. But Clearchus 
pressed his proposal with great vehemence, till 
he at length succeeded in getting five generals 
and twenty captains to go ; and some of the 
other soldiers followed them, to the number of 
about two hundred, as if for the purpose of 
marketing. 

31. When they had arrived at the entrance of 
Tissaphernes' tent, the generals who were 
Proxenus the Boeotian, Menon the Thessalian, 
Agias the Arcadian, Clearchus the Lacedae- 
monian, and Socrates the Achaean, were invited 
to enter ; but the captains waited at the door. 
32. Not long after, at one and the same signal, 



88 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

those within were seized, and those without mas- 
sacred ; and immediately afterwards a body of Bar- 
barian cavalry, riding through the plain, killed 
every Greek, slave or freeman, that they met. 

33. The Greeks, observing the motions of 
these cavalry from the camp, were filled with 
astonishment, and wondered what they could be 
doing, till Nicarchus an Arcadian came fleeing 
thither, wounded in the belly and holding his 
intestines in his hands, and related all that had 
occurred.) 34. The Greeks, in consequence, ran 
to their arms in a state of general consternation, 
expecting that the enemy would immediately 
march upon the camp. 35. They however did 
not all come, but only Ariseus and Artaozus and 
Mithridates, who had been Cyrus's most confi- 
dential friends ; and the interpreter of the 
Greeks said, that he saw with them, and recog- 
nized the brother of Tissaphernes. Other Per- 
sians, equipped with corslets, to the number of 
three hundred, were in attendance on them. 36. 
As the} 7 , approached the camp, they called for 
whatever \ general or captain of the Greeks 
might be there, to come out to them, that they 
might deliver a message from the king. 37. 
There accordingly went forth to them, with 
much caution, Cleanor the Orchomenian, and 
Sophametus the Stymphalian, generals of the 
Greeks, and with them Xenophon the Athe- 
nian, that he might l$arn news of Proxenus. 
As for Cheirisophus, he i*appened to be absent 
at some village looking for provisions. 

38. When they had stopped just within hear- 
ing, Aria3us said to them : " Clearchus, O Greeks, 



CH. 5.] DEATH OF CLEARCHUS. 89 

having been found guilty of perjury, and of 
violating the truce, has received his just punish- 
ment, and is dead; Proxenus and Menon, as 
having denounced his treachery, are in great 
honour ; but the king demands of you your 
arms ; for he says that they are his, as they be- 
longed to Cyrus his subject." 39. To this the 
Greeks answered, (Clean or the Orchomenian 
spoke for them.) " O Ariaeus, most wicked of 
men, and the rest of you, as many as were the 
friends of Cyrus, have you no regard either for 
gods or men, that, after having sworn that you 
would consider our friends and enemies to be 
likewise yours, you have thus, after treacherously 
deserting us in concert with Tissanhernes, the 
most godless and most unprincipled of human 
beings, murdered the very men to whom you 
swore alliance, and, abandoning us who are left, 
have come against us in conjunction with our 
enemies ?" 40. Ariseus replied, " Clearchus had 
been previously detected in treacherous designs 
against Tissaphernes and Orontes, and all of us 
who accompany them." 41. To this Xenophon 
rejoined, " Clearchus, then, if he infringed the 
truce in violation of his oath, is deservedly 
punished ; for it is just that those who violate 
their oaths should suffer death ; but as for Prox- 
enus and Menon, as they are your benefactors 
and our generals, send them hither ; for it is 
clear that, being friencb to both parties, they 
will endeavour to advise what is best both for you 
and for us." 42. The Barbarians, after convers- 
ing among themselves for some time, departed 
without making any answer to this proposal. 



90 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

CHAPTER VI. 

The characters of the five generals that were put to death. 

l. The generals, who were thus made prison- 
ers, were taken up to the king, and put to death 
by being beheaded. 

One of them, Clearchus, by the general con- 
sent of all who were acquainted with him, ap- 
pears to have been a man well qualified for war, 
and extremely fond of military enterprise. 2. 
For as long as the Lacedaemonians were at war 
with the Athenians, he remained in the service 
of his country ; but when the peace took place, 
1 having induced his government to believe that 
7 the Thracians were committing ravages on the 
Greeks, and having gained his point, as well as 
he could, with the Ephori, he sailed from home 
to make war upon the Thracians that lie above 
the Chersonesus and Perinthus. 3. But when 
the Ephori, after he was gone, having for some 
reason changed their mind, took measures to 
oblige him to turn back from the Ishmus, he 
then no longer paid obedience to their com- 
mands, but sailed away to the Hellespont, 4. and 
was in consequence condemned to death, for 
disobedience, by the chief magistrates at Sparta. 
Being then an exile, he went to Cyrus ; and by 
what methods he conciliated the favour of Cyrus, 
has been told in another place. Cyrus presented 
him with ten thou-and darics ; 5. and he, on re- 
ceiving that sum, did not give himself up to 
idleness, but having collected an army with the 
money, made war upon the Thracians, and con- 



CH. 6.] CHARACTER OF CLEARCHUS. 91 

quered them in battle, and from that time plun- 
dered and laid waste their country, and continued 
this warfare till Cyrus had need of his army ; 
when he went to him, for the purpose of again 
making war in concert with him. 

6. These seem to me to have been the pro- 
ceedings of one fond of war, who, when he 
might have lived in peace without disgrace or 
loss, chose war in preference ; when he might 
have spent his time in idleness, voluntarily 
underwent toil for the sake of military adven- 
ture ; and when he might have enjoyed riches in 
security, chose rather, by engaging in warfare, 
to diminish their amount. He was indeed led 
by inclination to spend his money in war, as he 
might have spent it in pursuits of gallantry, or 
any other pleasure ; to such a degree was he 
fond of war. 7. He appears also to have been 
qualified for military undertakings, as he liked 
perilous adventure, was ready to march day and 
night against the enemy, and was possessed of 
great presence of mind in circumstances of diffi- 
culty, as those who were with him on all such 
occasions were universally ready to acknowl- 
edge. 

8. For commanding troops he was said to be 
qualified in as great a degree as was consistent 
with his temper ; for he was excelled by no one 
in ability to contrive how an army might have 
provisions, and to procure them; and he was 
equally fitted to impress on all around him the 
necessity of obeying Clearchus. 9. This he 
effected by severity; for he was of a stern 
countenance and harsh voice ; and he always 



92 



THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. 



[B. II. 



punished violently, and sometimes in anger, so 
that he occasionally repented of what he had 
done. He punished too on principle, for he 
thought that there could be no efficiency in an 
army undisciplined by chastisement. 10. He 
is also reported to have said, that a soldier ought 
to fear his commander more than the enemy, if 
he would either keep guard well, or abstain 
from doing injury to friends, or march without 
hesitation against foes. 11. In circumstances of 
danger, accordingly, the soldiers were willing to 
obey him implicitly, and wished for no other 
leader ; for they said, that the sternness in his 
countenance then assumed an appearance of 
cheerfulness, and that what was severe in it 
seemed undauntedness against the enemy ; so that 
it appeared indicative of safety, and not of aus- 
terity. 12. But when they were out of danger, 
and were at liberty to betake themselves to other 
chiefs, they deserted him in great numbers ; for 
he had nothing attractive in him, but was always 
forbidding and repulsive, so that the soldiers 
felt towards him as bovs towards their master. 
13. Hence it was, that he never had any one 
who followed him out of friendship and attach- 
ment to his person ; though such as followed 
him from being appointed to the service by their 
country, or from being compelled by want or 
.other necessity, he found extremely submissive 
to him. 14. And when they began under his 
command to gain victories over the enemy, there 
were many important circumstances that con- 
curred to render his troops excellent soldiers; 
for their perfect confidence against the enemy 



CH. 6.] PROXENUS's CHARACTER. 93 

had its effect, and their dread of punishment 
from him rendered them strictly observant of 
discipline. 15. Such was his character as a 
commander. But he was said to have been by 
no means willing to be commanded by others. 
When he was put to death, he was about fifty 
years of age. 

16. Proxenus the Boeotian, from his earliest 
youth, felt a desire to become a man capable of 
great undertakings ; and through this desire 
paid Gorgias of Leontium for instruction. 17. 
When he had passed some time with him, and 
thought himself capable of command, and, if 
honored with the friendship of the great, of 
making no inadequate return for their favours, he 
proceeded to take a part in this enterprise with 
Cyrus ; and expected to acquire in it a great 
name, extensive influence, and abundant wealth. 
18. But though he earnestly wished for these 
things, he at the same time plainly showed, that 
he was unwilling to acquire any of them by in- 
justice, but that he thought he ought to obtain 
them by just and honourable means, or other- 
wise not at all. 

19. He was indeed able to command orderly 
and well-disposed men, but incapable of in- 
spiring ordinary soldiers with either respect or 
fear for him ; he stood even more in awe of 
those under his command, than they of him ; 
and evidently showed that he was more afraid of 
being disliked by his soldiers, than his soldiers 
of being disobedient to him. 20. He thought it 
sufficient both for being, and appearing, capable 
of command, to praise him who did well, and 



94 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. II. 

withhold his praise from the offender. Such, 
therefore, of his followers, as were of honour- 
able and virtuous character, were much attached 
to him, but the unprincipled formed designs 
upon him, as a man easy to manage. He was 
about thirty years old when he was put to 
death. 

21. As for Menon the Thessalian, he ever 
manifested an excessive desire for riches, being 
desirous of command that he might receive 
greater pay, and desirous of honours that he 
might obtain greater perquisities ; and he wished 
to be well with those in power, in order that 
when he did wrong he might not suffer punish- 
ment. 22. To accomplish what he desired, he 
thought that the shortest road lay through per- 
jury, falsehood, and deceit ; while sincerity and 
truth he regarded as no better than folly. 23. 
He evidently had no affection for any man ; and 
as for those to whom he professed to be a friend, 
^he was unmistakeably plotting mischief against 
f them. He never ridiculed an enemy, but always 
used to talk with his associates as if ridiculing 
ail of them. 24. He formed no designs on the 
property of his enemies, (for he thought it dif- 
ficult to take what belonged to such as were on 
their guard against him,) but looked upon him- 
self as the only person sensible how very easy 
it was to invade the unguarded property of 
friends. 

25. Those whom he saw given to perjury and 
injustice, he feared as men well armed ; but 
sought to practice on those who were pious and 
observant of truth, as imbeciles. 26. As another 



CH. 6.] menon's character. 95 

might take a pride in religion, and truth, and jus- 
tice, so Menon took a pride in being able to de- 
ceive, in devising falsehoods, in sneering at 
friends ; and thought the man who was guile- 
less was to be regarded as deficient in knowledge 
of the world. He believed that he must con- 
ciliate those, in whose friendship he wished to 
stand first, by calumniating such as already held 
the chief place in their favour. 27. The sol- 
diers he tried to render obedient to him by be- 
ing an accomplice in their dishonesty. He ex- 
pected to be honoured and courted, by showing 
that he had the power and the will to inflict the 
greatest injuries. When any one deserted him, 
he spoke of it as a favour on his own part that, 
while he made use of his services, he did not 
work his destruction. 

28. As to such parts of his history as are 
little known, I might, if I were to speak of them, 
say something untrue of him ; but those which 
every one knows, are these. While yet in the 
prime of youth he obtained, at the hands of 
Aristippus, the command of his corps of merce- 
naries. He was also, in his prime, most inti- 
mate with Ariaeus, though a Barbarian, as 
Ariaeus delighted in beautiful youths. He him- 
self, too, while yet a beardless youth, made a 
favorite of Tharypas, who had arrived at man- 
hood. 

29. When his fellow-officers were put to death, 
because they had served with Cyrus against 
the king, he, though he had done the same, was 
not put to death with them ; but after the death 
of the other generals, he died under a punish- 



96 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

ment inflicted by the king, not like Clearclms 
and the other commanders, who were beheaded 
(which appears to be the speediest kind of 
death) ; but after living a year in torture, like a 
malefactor, he is said at length to have met his 
end. 

30. Agias the Arcadian and Socrates the 
Achaean were also put to death. These no one 
ever * derided as wanting courage in battle, or 
blamed for their conduct towards their friends. 
They were both about live and thirty years of 
age. 



BOOK III. 



CHAPTER I. 

Dejection of the Greeks. How Xenophon was led to join in 
Cyrus's expedition. His dream, and reflections. He rouses 
the captains of the division that Proxenus had commanded, 
and exhorts them to take measures for their safety. Apol- 
lonides deprived of his captaincy. A general meeting of the 
surviving generals and captains, at which Xenophon per- 
suades them to choose new commanders in the room of 
those that they had lost. Xenophon is one of those elected. 

1. What the Greeks did in their march up 
the country with Cyrus, until the time of the 
battle, and what occurred after Cyrus was dead, 
when the Greeks set out to return with Tissa- 
phernes in reliance on a truce, has been related 
in«4he preceding part of the work. 



CH. 1.] GREEKS ALARMED. 97 

2. After the generals were made prisoners, 
and such of the captains and soldiers as had ac- 
companied them were put -to death, the Greeks 
were in great perplexity, reflecting that they 
were not far from the king's residence ; that 
there were around them, on all sides, many hos- 
tile nations and cities ; that no one would any 
longer secure them opportunities of purchasing 
provisions ; that they were distant from Greece 
not less than ten thousand stadia ; that there 
was no one to guide them on the way ; that 
impassable rivers would intercept them in the 
midst of their course ; that the Barbarians who 
had gone up with Cyrus had deserted them ; and 
that they were left utterly alone, having no 
cavalry to support them, so that it was certain, 
even if they defeated their enemies, that they 
would kill not a man of them, and that, if they 
were defeated, none of themselves would he left 
alive ; — 3. reflecting, I say, on these circum- 
stances, and being disheartened at them, few of 
them tasted food for that evening, few kindled 
fires, and many did not come to the place of arms 
during the night, but lay down to rest where 
they severally happened to be, unable to sleep 
for sorrow and longing for their country, their 
parents, their wives and children, whom they 
never expected to see again. In this state of 
mind they all went to their resting-places. 

4. There was in the army a certain Xenophon, 
an Athenian, who accompanied it neither in the 
character of general, nor captain, nor common 
soldier, but it had happened that Proxenus, an 
old guest-friend of his, had sent for him from 



98 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

home, giving him a promise that, if he came, he 
would recommend him to the friendship of 
Cyrus, whom he considered, he said, as a greater 
object of regard than his own country. 5. 
Xenophon, on reading the letter, consulted 
Socrates the Athenian, as to the propriety of 
making the journey ; and Socrates, fearing that 
if he attached himself to Cyrus it might prove a 
ground for accusation against him with his 
country, because Cyrus was thought to have 
zealously assisted the Lacedaemonians in their 
war with Athens, advised Xenophon to go to 
Delphi, and consult the god respecting the expe- 
dition. 6. Xenophon, having gone thither ac- 
cordingly, inquired of Apollo to which of the 
gods he should sacrifice and pray, in order most 
honourably and successfully to perform the 
journey which he contemplated, and, after pros- 
perously accomplishing it, to return in safety. 
Apollo answered him that " he should sacrifice 
to the gods to whom it was proper for him to 
sacrifice." 7. When he returned, he repeated 
the oracle to Socrates, who, on hearing it, 
blamed him for not asking Apollo in the first 
place, whether it were better for him to go or 
stay at home ; whereas, having settled with him- 
self that he would go, he only asked how he 
might best go ; ik but since you have," said he, 
" put the question thus, you must do what the 
god has directed." 8. Xenophon, therefore, 
having sacrificed to the gods that Apollo com- 
manded, set sail, and found Proxenus and Cyrus 
at Sardis, just setting out on their inarch up the 
country, and was presented to Cyrus. 9. Prox- 




CH. i.] xenophon's dream. 99 

enus desiring that he should remain with them, 
Cyrus joined in the same desire, and said that as 
soon as the expedition was ended, he would send 
him home again. The expedition was said to be 
intended against the Pisidians. 10. Xenophon 
accordingly joined in the enterprise, being thus 
deceived, but not by Proxenus ; for he did not 
know that the movement was against the king, 
no did any other of the Greeks, except Clear- 
chus. When they arrived in Cilicia, however, 
it appeared manifest to every one that it was 
against the king that their force was directed ; 
but, though they were afraid of the length of 
the journey, and unwilling to proceed, yet the 
greater part of them, out of respect both for one 
another and for Cyrus, continued to follow him; 
of which number was Xenophon. 

11. When this perplexity occurred, Xenophon 
was distressed as well as the other Greeks, and 
unable to rest, but having at length got a little 
sleep, he had a dream, in which, in the midst of 
a thunder-storm, a bolt seemed to him to fall up- 
on his father's house, and the house in conse- 
quence became all in a blaze. 12. Being greatly 
frightened, he immediately awoke, and con- 
sidered his dream as in one respect favourable, 
(inasmuch as, being in troubles and dangers, he 
seemed to behold a great light from Jupiter,) but 
in another respect he was alarmed, (because the 
dream appeared to him to be from Jupiter who 
was a king, and the fire to blaze all around him,) 
lest he should be unable to escape from the 
king's territories, but should be hemmed in on 
all sides by inextricable difficulties. 



100 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

13. What it betokens, however, to see such a 
dream, we may conjecture from the occurrences 
that happened after the dream. What imme- 
diately followed was this. As soon as he awoke, 
the thought that first occurred to him was, " Why 
do I lie here? The night is passing away. 
With daylight it is probable that the enemy will 
come upon us ; and if we once fell into the 
hands of the king, what is there to prevent us 
from being put to death with ignominy, after 
witnessing the most grievous sufferings among 
our comrades, and enduring every severity of 
torture ourselves ? 14. Yet no one concerts 
measures, or takes thought, for our defence, but 
we lie still, as if we were at liberty to enjoy re-. 
pose. From what city, then, do I expect a 
leader to undertake our defence ? What age am 
I waiting for to come to myself? Assuredly I 
shall never be older, if I give myself up to the 
enemy to-day." 15. After these reflections he 
arose, and called together, in the first place, the 
captains that were under Proxenus. 

When they were assembled, he said, " For 
my part, captains, I cannot sleep, nor, I should 
think, can you, nor can I lie still any longer, 
when I consider in what circumstances we are 
placed ; 16. for it is plain that the enemy did not 
openly manifest hostility towards us, until they 
thought that- they had judiciously arranged their 
plans ; but on our side no one takes any thought 
how we may best maintain a contest with them. 
17. Yet if we prove remiss, and fall into the 
power of the king, what may we not expect to 
suffer from a man who cut off the head and hand 



CH. i.] xenophon's dream. 101 

of his own brother by the same mother and 
father, even after he was dead, and fixed them 
upon a stake ? What may not we, I say, ex- 
pect to suffer, who have no relative to take our 
part, and who have marched against him to 
make him a subject instead of a monarch, and 
to put him to death if it should lie in our 
power ? 18. Will he not proceed to every ex- 
tremity, that by reducing us to the last degree 
of ignominious suffering, he may inspire all men 
with a dr^ad of ever taking the field against 
him ? We must however try every expedient 
not to fall into his hands. 19. For myself, I 
never ceased, while the truce lasted, to consider 
ourselves as objects of pity, and to regard the 
king and his people as objects of envy, as I con- 
templated how extensive and valuable a country 
they possessed, how great an abundance of 
provisions, how many slaves and cattle, and 
how vast a quantity of gold and raiment; 20. 
while, on the other hand, when I reflected on 
the condition of our own soldiers, that we had 
no share in any of all these blessings, unless we 
bought it, and knew that few of us had any 
longer money to buy, and , that our oaths re- 
strained us from getting provisions otherwise 
than by buying, I sometimes, on taking all these 
circumstances into consideration, feared the con- 
tinuance of peace more than I now fear war. 
21. But since they have put an end to peace, 
their own haughtiness, and our mistrust, seem 
likewise to be brought to an end ; for the ad- 
vantages which I have mentioned lie now as 
prizes between us, for whichsoever of us shall 



102 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

prove the better man ; and the gods are the 
judges of the contest, who, as is just, will be on 
our side ; 22. since the enemy have offended 
them by perjury, while we, though seeing many 
good things to tempt us, have resolutely ab- 
stained from all of them through regard to our 
oaths ; so that, as it seems to me, we may ad- 
vance to the combat with much greater confi- 
dence than they can feel. 23. We have bodies, 
moreover, better able than theirs to endure 
cold and heat and toil ; and we have, with 
the help of the gods, more resolute minds ; 
while the enemy, if the gods, as before, grant 
us success, will be found more obnoxious to 
wounds and death than we are. 24. But pos- 
sibly others of you entertain the same thoughts ; 
let us not, then, in the name of heaven, wait for 
others to come and exhort us to noble deeds, 
but let us be ourselves the first to excite others 
to exert their valour. Prove yourselves the 
bravest of the captains, and more worthy to 
lead than those who are now leaders. 25. As 
for me, if you wish to take the start in the 
course, I am willing to follow you, or, if you 
appoint me to be a leader, I shall not make my 
youth an excuse, but shall think myself suf- 
ficiently mature to defend myself against harm." 
26. Thus spoke Xenophon ; and the captains, 
on hearing his observations, all desired him to 
be their leader, except a certain Apollonides, 
who resembled a Bceotian in his manner of 
speaking; this man said that '" whoever asserted 
that they could gain safety by any other means 
than by obtaining, if he could, the king's con- 






CH. 1.] APOLLONIDES EXPELLED. 103 

sent to it, talked absurdly ; " and at the same 
time began to enumerate the difficulties surround- 
ing them. 27. But Xenophon, interrupting him, 
said, " O most wonderful of men ! you neither 
understand what you see, nor remember what 
you hear. Yet you were on the same spot with 
those here present, when the king, after Cyrus 
was dead, being in high spirits at the circum- 
stance, sent to demand that we should deliver 
up our arms ; 28. and when we, refusing to de- 
liver them up, and appearing in full armour, 
went and encamped over against him, what 
means did he not try, sending deputies, asking 
for a truce, and supplying us with provisions 
until he obtained a truce? 29. But when, on 
the other hand, our generals and captains went 
to confer with the Barbarians, as you now ad- 
vise us to do, without their arms, and relying on 
the truce, were they not beaten, goaded, in- 
sulted, and are they not unable, wretched men, 
to die, though, I should think, greatly longing 
for death ? And do you, knowing all these 
occurrences, say that those who exhort us to de- 
fend ourselves talk absurdly, and advise us to go 
again to try persuasion ? 30. To me, O captains, 
it seems that we should no longer admit this 
man into the same service with ourselves, but 
take from him his captaincy, and laying baggage 
on his back, make use of him in that capacity ; 
for he disgraces both his own country and all 
Greece, inasmuch as, being a Greek, he is of 
such a character." 31. Here Agasias of Stym- 
phalus, proceeding to speak, said, " But this 
man, assuredly, has nothing to do either with 



104 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

Boeotia or with Greece at all, for I have ob- 
served that he has both his ears bored, like a 
Lydian." Such indeed was the case ; and they 
accordingly expelled him. 

32. The rest, proceeding to the different divis- 
ions of the troops, called up # the general wherever 
there was a general surviving, and the lieuten- 
ant-general where the general was dead, and the 
captain wherever there was a captain surviving. 
33. When they were all come together, they sat 
down before the place where the arms were 
piled ; and the generals and captains assembled 
were about a hundred in all. The time when 
the meeting took place was about midnight. 

34. Hieronymus, a native of Elis, the oldest 
of all the captains that had served under Prox- 
enus, was the first to speak, as follows : " It has 
seemed proper to us, O generals and captains, 
on contemplating the present state of our affairs, 
to meet together ourselves, and to call upon you 
to join us, that we may determine, if we can, on 
some plan for our benefit. But do you, Xeno- 
phon, first represent to the assembly what you 
have already observed to us." 35. Xenophon 
accordingly said, " We are all aware that the 
king and Tissaphernes have made prisoners of 
as many of us as they could ; and it is evident 
that they are forming designs against the rest of 
us that they may put us to death if they can. 
But on our parts I think that every means 
should be adopted in order that we may not fall 
into the Barbarians' hands, but rather that they, 
if we can accomplish it, may fall into ours. 36. 
Be well assured then, that you, who have now 



CH. 1.] GENERALS NEEDED. 105 

met together in such numbers, have upon you a 
most important responsibility ; for all the sol- 
diers look to you, and, if they see you dispirited, 
they will themselves lose courage, but if both 
you yourselves appear well prepared to meet the 
enemy, and exhort others to be equally prepared, 
be certain that they will follow you, and strive 
to imitate you. 37. Perhaps, too, it is right 
that you should show some superiority over 
them ; for you are their generals, their officers, 
and their captains, and, when there was peace, 
you enjoyed advantages over them in fortune 
and honour ; and now, in consequence, when 
war arises, you ought to prove yourselves pre- 
eminent over the multitude, and to take the lead 
in forming plans for them, and, should it ever be 
necessary, in toiling for them. 38. And, in the 
first place, I think that you will greatly benefit 
the army, if you take care that generals and 
captains be chosen as soon as possible in the 
room of those whom we have lost ; for without 
commanders nothing honourable or advantageous 
can be achieved, I may say in one word, any- 
where, but least of all in the field of battle. 
Good order conduces to safety, but want of 
order has already proved fatal to many. 39. 
Again, when you have appointed as many com- 
manders, as are requisite, I consider that if you 
were to assemble and encourage the rest of the 
soldiers, you would act very suitably to the 
occasion ; 40. for you perhaps observe, as well 
as myself, how dejectedly fhey have now come 
to the place of arms, and how dejectedly they 
go upon guard, so that, while they are in such a 



106 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

condition, I know not for what service any one 
could employ them, whether required by night 
or by day. 41. But if any one could change 
the direction of their thonghts, so that they 
may not merely contemplate what they are 
likely to suffer, but what they may be able to 
do, they will become much more eager for 
action ; 42. for you are certain that it is neither 
numbers nor strength which gives the victory in 
war, but that whichsoever side advances on the 
enemy with the more resolute courage, their 
opponents, in general, cannot withstand their 
onset. 43. I have also remarked, fellow-soldiers, 
that such as are eager in the field to preserve 
their lives at any rate, for the most part perish 
wretchedly and ignominiously, while I see that 
such as reflect that death is to all men common 
and inevitable, and seek in battle only to fall 
with honour, more frequently, from whatever 
cause, arrive at old age, and live, while they 
live, with greater happiness. 44. Being aware, 
then, of these facts, it behoves us, such are the 
circumstances in which we are placed, both to 
prove ourselves to be brave soldiers, and to ex- 
hort others to be so likewise." 45. Having 
spoken thus, he stopped. 

After him Cheirisophus said, " Till the pres- 
ent moment, O Xenophon, I knew nothing of 
you, except having heard that you were an 
Athenian, but now I have to praise you both for 
what you say and what you do, and could wish 
that there were very many like you ; for it 
would be a general good. 46. And now," he 
added, "let us not delay, my fellow-soldiers, but 



CH. 2.] GENERALS NEEDED. 107 

proceed at once, you who want them, to choose 
commanders, and when you have elected them, 
come to the centre of the camp, and bring those 
that are chosen ; and we will then call the rest 
of the soldiers together there. And let Tolmi- 
des the herald," said he, "come with us." 47. 
As he said this, he rose up, that the necessary 
measures might not be delayed, but carried at 
once into execution. There were accordingly 
chosen commanders, Timasion a Dardanian in 
the room of Clearchus, Xanthicles an Achaean 
in that of Socrates, Cleanor an Arcadian in that 
of Agias, Philesius an Achaean in that of.Me- 
non, and Xenophon of Athens in that of Prox- 
enus. 



CHAPTER II. 



The new generals hold a council of war. The speeches of 
Cheirisophus, Cleanor, and Xenophon. The order of march 
is settled, and the duties of each commander appointed. 

1. When the officers were chosen, and day 
was just dawning, they met in the centre of the 
camp, and it was resolved to station sentinels at 
the out-posts, and to call together the soldiers. 
When the rest of the troops came up, Cheirisophus 
the Lacedaemonian rose first, and spoke as fol- 
lows : 2. " Our present circumstances, fellow- 
soldiers, are fraught with difficulty, since we are 
deprived of such able generals, and captains, and 
soldiers, and since, also, the party of Ariaeus, who 
were formerly our supporters, have deserted us ; 
s. yet it behoves us to extricate ourselves from 



108 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

these difficulties as brave men, and not to lose 
courage, but to endeavor to save ourselves, if we 
can, by an honourable victory ; but if we cannot 
do so, let us at least die with honour, and never, 
while we live, put ourselves into the power of 
the enemy ; for I think that, in that case, we 
should endure such sufferings as I wish that the 
gods may inflict on our adversaries." 

4. After him Cleanor the Orchomenian arose 
and spoke thus : " You see, soldiers, the perjury 
and impiety of the king ; and you see also the 
faithlessness of Tissaphernes, who, after telling 
us that he was a neighbour of the Greeks, and 
would esteem it the highest privilege to save us, 
and after having given us his right hand as a 
pledge, has himself deceived and made prisoners 
our generals, and has not respected even Jupiter, 
the protector of the rights of hospitality, but, en- 
tertaining Clearchus at his own table, has, by 
this very means, inveigled and destroyed our of- 
ficers. 5. Ariseus, too, whom we offered to make 
king, to whom we gave and from whom we re- 
ceived pledges, that we would not betray one 
another, even he, neither fearing the gods, nor 
respecting the memory of Cyrus, though honoured 
by him in the highest degree while he was alive, 
has now gone over to his bitterest enemies, and 
endeavours to distress us who were his friends. 
6. But on these men may the gods take ven- 
geance ; for ourselves, it is incumbent upon us, 
having this condnct before our eyes, not to be 
deceived again by them, but, after fighting as 
bravely as we can, to bear with patience such 
fortune as the gods may appoint us." 



CH. 2.] XENOPHON'S SPEECH. 109 

7. Next stood up Xenophon, who had accoutred 
himself for war as splendidly as he could, thinking 
that if the gods should grant them victory, the 
finest equipment would be suitable to success, or 
that, if it were appointed for him to die, it would 
be well for him to adorn himself with his best 
armour, and in that dress to meet his end. He 
proceeded to speak thus : 8. "Of the perjury 
and perfidy of the Barbarians Cleanor has just 
spoken, and you, I am sure, are well aware of it. 
If, then, we think of coming again to terms of 
friendship with them, we must of necessity feel 
much distrust on that head, when we see what our 
generals have suffered, who, in reliance on their 
faith, put themselves into their hands ; but if we 
propose to inflict on them vengeance with our 
swords for what they have done, and, for the future 
to be at war with them at all points, we have, 
with the help of the gods, many fair hopes of 
safety." 9. As he was uttering these words, 
somebody sneezed, and the soldiers, hearing it, 
with one impulse paid their adoration to the god ; 
and Xenophon continued, " Since, soldiers, while 
we were speaking of safety, an omen from Jupi- 
ter the Preserver has appeared, it seems to me 
that we should vow to that god to offer sacrifices 
for our preservation on the spot where we first 
reach a friendly country ; and that we should 
vow, at the same time, to sacrifice to the other 
gods according to our ability. And to whomso- 
ever this seems reasonable, let him hold up his 
hand." All held up their hands ; and they then 
made their vows, and sang the paean. When the 
ceremonies to the gods were duly performed, he 



110 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

recommenced thus : 10. " I was saying that we 
had many fair hopes of safety. In the first place, 
we have observed our oaths made to the gods ; 
but the enemy have perjured themselves, and 
broken the truce and their oaths. Such ^being 
the case, it is natural that the gods should be un- 
favourable to our enemies, and should fight on 
our side ; the gods, who are able, whenever they 
will, to make the mighty soon weak, and to save 
the weak with ease, although they be in grievous 
perils. 11. In the next place, I will remind you 
of the dangers in which our ancestors were, that 
you may feel conscious how much it becomes 
you to be brave, and how the brave are pre- 
served, even from the greatest troubles, by the 
aid of the gods. For when the Persians, and 
those united with them, came with a numerous 
host, as if to sweep Athens from the face of the 
earth, the Athenians, by daring to oppose them, 
gave them a defeat ; 12. and having made a vow 
to Diana, that whatever number they should kill 
of the enemy, they would sacrifice to her divin- 
ity the same number of goats, and not being 
able to find enough, they resolved to sacrifice 
five hundred every year ; and to this day they 
still continue to sacrifice them. 13. Again, when 
Xerxes, having collected that innumerable army 
of his, came down upon Greece a second time, 
our ancestors on that occasion, too, defeated the 
ancestors of these Barbarians, both by land and 
sea ; of which exploits the trophies are still to be 
seen as memorials ; the greatest of all memorials, 
however, is the liberty of the states in which 
you were born and bred, for you worship no 



CH. 2.] XENOPHON'S SPEECH. Ill 

man as master, but the gods alone. Of such an- 
cestors are you sprung. 

14. " Nor am I going to say that you dishonor 
them. It is not yet many days since you arrayed 
yourselves in the field against the descendants of 
those Barbarians, and defeated, with the help 
of the gods, a force many times more numer- 
ous than yourselves. 15. On that occasion you 
showed yourselves brave men to procure a throne 
for Cyrus ; and now, when the struggle is for 
your own lives, it becomes you to be more val- 
iant and resolute. 16. At present, too, you may 
justly feel greater confidence against your adver- 
saries ; for even then, when you had made no 
trial of them, and saw them in countless numbers 
before you, you yet dared, with the spirit of your 
fathers, to advance upon them, and now, when 
you have learned from experience of them, that, 
though many times your number, they shrink 
from receiviug your charge, what reason have 
you any longer to fear them ? 17. And do not 
consider it any disadvantage, that the troops of 
Cyrus, who were formerly arrayed on our side, 
have now left us ; for they are far more cowardly 
than those who were defeated by you ; at least 
they deserted us to flee to them, and those who 
are so ready to commence flight it is better to see 
posted on the side of the enemy than in our own 
ranks. 

18. " If, again, any of you are disheartened 

because we have no cavalry, and the enemy have 

a great number, consider that ten thousand cav- 

j are nothing more than ten thousand men ; 

^ne ever perished in battle of being bitten 



112 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

or kicked by a horse ; it is the men that do what- 
ever is done in the encounter. 19. Doubtless 
we, too, rest upon a surer support than cavalry 
have, for they are raised upon horses, and are 
afraid, not only of us, but also of falling, while 
we, taking our steps upon the ground, shall strike 
such as approach us with far greater force, and 
hit much more surely the mark at which we may 
aim. In one point alone, indeed, have the cavalry 
the advantage, that it is safer for them to flee 
than for us. 

20. " But if, though you have courage for bat- 
tle, you are disquieted at the thought that Tissa- 
phernes will no longer guide you, and that the 
king will no longer supply you with provisions, 
consider whether it is better to have Tissaphernes 
for our guide, who is manifestly plotting our 
destruction, or such persons as we ourselves may 
seize and compel to be our guides, who will be 
conscious that if they go wrong with regard to 
us, they go wrong with regard to their own lives 
and persons. 21. And as to provisions, whether 
is it better for us to purchase, in the markets 
which they provide, small measures of food for 
large sums of money, (no longer, indeed, having 
the money,) or, if we are successful in the field, 
to take supplies for ourselves, adopting what- 
ever measure each of us may wish to use ? 

22. " Again, if you think, that this state of 
things will be better, but imagine that the 
rivers will be impassable, and that you were 
greatly misled when you came across them, re- 
flect whether the Barbarians have not r 
most unwisely also in this respect. For all 



CH. 2.] XENOPHON'S SPEECH. 113 

rivers, though they may be impassable at a dis- 
tance from their sources, are easy to be forded 
by those who go to their springs, wetting them 
not even to the knees. 23. But even if the 
rivers rfiall not afford us a passage, and no guide 
shall appear to conduct us, we still need not be 
in despair ; for we know that the Mysians, 
whom we should not call more valiant than our- 
selves, have settled themselves, against the king's 
will, in many rich and large cities in the king's 
territory ; we know that the Pisidians have 
acted similarly ; and we have ourselves seen that 
the Lycaonians, having seized on the strong- 
holds in the plains, enjoy the produce of the 
land of these Barbarians jj 24. and I should 
recommend that we, for the present, should not 
let it be seen that we are eager to start home- 
wards, but should apparently make arrange- 
ments as if we thought of settling somewhere 
in these parts ; for I am sure that the king 
would grant the Mysians many guides, and give 
them many hostages to send them out of the 
country safely, and even make roads for them, 
though they should desire to depart in four-horse 
chariots; and for ourselves, too, I am convinced 
that he would with thrice as much pleasure do 
the same, if he saw us making dispositions to 
remain here. 25. But I am afraid that if we 
should once learn to live in idleness, to revel in 
abundance, and to associate with the fair' and 
stately wives and daughters of the Medes and 
Persians, we should, like the lotus-eaters, think 
no more of the road homewards., 26. It seems 
to me, therefore, both reasonable and just, that 



114 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

we should first of all make an attempt to return 
to Greece, and to the members of our families, 
and let our countrymen see that they live in 
voluntary poverty, since they might see those, 
who are now living at home without du* means 
of subsistence, enriched on betaking themselves 
hither. But I need say no more on this head, 
for it is plain, my fellow-soldiers, that all these 
advantages fall to the conquerors. 

27. "I must also suggest to you, however, in 
what manner we may proceed on our way with 
the greatest safety, and how we may fight, if it 
should be necessary to fight, to the greatest 
possible advantage. First of all, then, 7 ' he con- 
tinued, " it seems to me that we ought to burn 
whatever carriages we have, that our cattle may 
not influence our movements, but that we may 
march whithersoever it may be convenient for 
the army ; and then that we should burn our 
tents with them, for tents are troublesome to 
carry, and of no service either for fighting or in 
getting provisions. 28. I think also that we 
ought to rid ourselves of whatever is superfluous 
in the rest of our baggage, reserving only what 
we have for war, or for meat and drink, 
that as many of us as possible may be under 
arms, and as few as possible baggage-bearers ; 
for you are aware that whatever belongs to the 
conquered becomes the property of others : and, 
if wfes^re victorious, we ought to look upon the 
enemy as\our baggage- carriers. 

29. "It^cvnly remains for me to mention a 
particular whiV?h I consider to be of the greatest 
importance. Ycfcu see that the enemy did *not 



CH. 2.] XENOPHOJS T 'S SPEECH. 115 

venture openly to commence war against us, 
until they had seized our generals, thinking that 
as long as we had commanders, and were obedi- 
ent to them, we should be in a condition to gain 
the advantage over them in the field, but on 
making prisoners of our generals, they expected 
that we should perish from want of direction 
and order. 30. It is incumbent, therefore, on our 
present commanders to be far more vigilant 
than our former ones, and on those under com- 
mand to be far more orderly, and more obedient 
to their officers, at present than they were be- 
fore. 31. And if you were also to pass a reso- 
lution, that, should any one be disobedient, 
whoever of you chances to light upon him is to 
join with his officer in punishing him, the enemy 
would by that means be most effectually disap- 
pointed in their expectations, for, on the very 
day that such resolution is passed, they will see 
before them ten thousand Clearchuses instead of 
one, who will not allow a single soldier to play 
the coward. 32. But it is now time for me to 
conclude my speech ; for in an instant perhaps 
the enemy will be upon us. Whosoever, there- 
fore, thinks these suggestions reasonable, let him 
give his sanction to them at once, that they may 
be carried into execution. But if any other 
course, in any one's opinion, be better than this, 
let him, even though he be a private soldier, 
boldly give us his sentiments ; for the safety, 
which we all seek, is a general concern." 

33. Cheirisophus then said, " Should there be 
need of any other measure in addition to what 
Xenophon proposes, it will be in our power to 



116 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

bring it forward by and by ; what he has now 
suggested we ought, I think, to vote at once to 
be the best course that we can adopt ; and to 
whomsoever this seems proper, let him hold up 
his hand ; " and they all held them up. 34. Xeno- 
phon then, rising again, said, " Hear, soldiers, 
what appears to me to be necessary in addition 

^to^what I have laid before you. \ It is plain that 
we must march to some place from which we 
may get provisions ; and I hear that there 
are some good-looking villages not more than 
twenty stadia distant ; 35. but 1 should not 
wonder if the enemy, (like cowardly dogs that 
run after such as pass by them, and bite them if 
they can, but flee from those who pursue them,) 
1 should not wonder, I say, if the enemy were 
to follow close upon us when we begin to 
march. 36. It will, perhaps, be the safer way 
for us to march, therefore, forming a hollow 
square of the heavy armed troops, in order that 
the baggage and the large number of camp-fol- 
lowers may be in greater security within it; 
and if it be now settled who is to lead the 

""square, and regulate the movements in front, 
who are to be on each flank, and who. to have 
charge of the rear, we shall not have to consider 
of these things when the enemy approach, but 
may at once act according to what has been 
arranged. 37. If, then, any one else sees any- 
thing better to recommend, let it be settled 
otherwise ; if not, let Cheirisophus lead, since 
lie is also a Lacedaemonian ; let two of the 
oldest generals take the command on each of 
the flanks ; and let Timasion and myself, the 



CH. 3.] XENOPHON'S SPEECH. 117 

youngest of the officers, take charge, at least for 
the present, of the rear. 38. After a time, 
when we have tried this arrangement, we will 
consider, as occasion may require, what may 
seem best to be done. If any one thinks of any 
better plan than this, let him speak." As no- 
body made any objection, he said, " Whosoever 
likes these proposals, let him hold up his hand." 
The proposals were approved. 39. " And now," 
he added, " it belongs to you to go and carry 
into execution what has been decided upon ; and 
whosoever of you wishes to see his friends and 
relations, let him prove himself a man of val- 
our, for by no other means can he succeed in 
attaining that object ; whoever of you desires to 
preserve his life, let him strive to conquer, for it 
is the part of conquerors to kill, but of the con- 
quered to die ; and if any one of you covets 
spoil, let him endeavour to secure victory for us, 
for it is the privilege of victors at once to save 
their own property and to seize on that of the 
vanquished." 



CHAPTER III. 

The Greeks are visited by Mitliridates as a friend, but lie soon 
shows that he is an enemy, and they resolve to enter into 
no further negotiations with the Persian king. They pass 
the Zabatus, are harrassed by Mithridates, aod suffer for 
the want of sli n gers and cavalry. Volunteers are enrolled 
for their services. 

l. When this speech was concluded, they 
rose up, and went off to burn their carriages 
and tents ; of their superfluous baggage they 



118 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

divided among themselves such portions as any 
needed, and threw the rest into the fire. Hav- 
ing done this, they went to breakfast. While 
they were at their meal, Mithridates rode up to 
them with about thirty horsemen and requesting 
the generals to come within hearing, spoke as 
follows : 2. "I was faithful to Cyrus, O men of 
Greece, as you yourselves know ; I am now well 
disposed towards you ; and I am living here 
under great apprehensions ; if therefore I should 
find that you are concerting any safe scheme for 
your deliverance, I would come and join you, 
bringing with me all my followers. Let me 
know, therefore, what you have in contempla- 
tion, as one who is your friend and well-wisher, 
and who is willing to march along with you." 3, 
The generals, after consulting together, resolved 
on returning the following answer ; and Cheiris- 
ophus delivered it : " It is our determination, 
if no one hinders us from returning home, to 
proceed through the country with as little injury 
to it as possible ; but, if any one opposes us on 
our march, to fight our way against him as vig- 
orously as we can." 4. Mithridates then en- 
deavoured to convince them how impracticable it 
was to escape without the king's consent. But 
it was now concluded that he was insidiously 
sent ; for one of the followers of Tissaphernes 
was in attendance on him to insure his fidel- 
ity. 5. In consequence, it was thought right 
by the generals to pass a resolution that the war 
should be such as to admit of no intercourse 
by heralds ; for those that came tried to corrupt 
the soldiers, and succeeded in seducing one of 



CH. 3.] MITHRIDATES' VISIT. 119 

the captains, Nicarchus an Arcadian, and be 
deserted in the night with about twenty men. 

6. Having then dined, and crossed the river 
Zabatus, they marched on in regular order, 
keeping the baggage-cattle and camp-followers 
in the centre. But before they had gone far, 
Mithridates made his appearance again with 
about two hundred cavalry and about four hun- 
dred archers and slingers, very light and active 
troops. 7. He advanced towards the Greeks as 
a friend, but, when he came near, some of his 
men, both horse and foot, suddenly discharged 
their arrows, and others used their slings, and 
wounded some of our men. The rear of the 
Greeks indeed was much harrassed, and could do 
nothing in return ; for the Cretan bowman shot 
to a less distance than the Persians, and had 
also, as being lightly armed, sheltered them- 
selves within the heavy troops ; and the javelin- 
men did not huii'far enough to reach the sling- 
ers. 8. Upon this it seemed to Xenophon that 
it would be well to pursue them ; and such of 
the heavy-armed and peltasts as happened to 
be with him in the rear, began to pursue, but 
could overtake in the pursuit not a single man 
of the enemy; 9. for the Greeks had no cavalry, 
nor could their infantry, in a short distance, 
overtake the infantry of the enemy, who took 
to flight when they were a long way off, since it 
was impossible for the Greeks to follow them to 
a great distance from the rest of the army. 10. 
The Barbarian cavalry, too, inflicted wounds in 
their retreat, shooting backwards as they rode, 
and however far the Greeks advanced in pursuit, 



120 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

so far were they obliged to retreat fighting. 11. 
Thus during the whole day, they did not advance 
more than five-and-twenty stadia ; however, they 
arrived at the villages in the evening. 

Here again there was much dejection ; and 
Cheirisophus and the oldest of the generals 
blamed Xenophon for pursuing the enemy apart 
from the main body, endangering himself, and 
yet being unable to hurt the assailants. 12. 
Xenophon hearing this charge, acknowledged 
that they blamed him justly, and that the result 
bore testimony in their favour. "But," said he, 
" I was under the necessity of pursuing, as I saw 
that we suffered great damage while remaining 
at our posts, and were unable to retaliate. 13. 
But when we began to pursue," continued he, 
" the truth was as you say ; for we were none 
the better able to injure the enemy, and we 
could not retreat without great difficulty. 14. 
Thanks are due to the gods, therefore, that the 
Barbarians did not come upon us in great force, 
but only with a few troops, so that, whilst they 
did us no great harm, they showed us of what 
we stand in need; 15. for at present the enemy 
shoot their arrows and sling their stones such a 
distance, that neither can the Cretans return 
their shots, nor can those who throw with the 
hand reach them; and when we pursue them, 
we cannot go after them any great distance 
from the main body, and in a short space a foot- 
soldier, even if ever so swift, cannot overtake 
another foot-soldier, starting at bowshot dis- 
tance, ig. If therefore we would keep off the 
enemy, so that they may be unable to hurt us 



• 



CII. 3.] SLINGERS ENGAGED. 121 

on our march, we must at once provide ourselves 
with slingers and cavalry. There are, I hear, 
some Rhodians in our army, the greater number 
of whom, they say, understand the use of the 
sling, while their weapon carries even double 
the distance of the Persian sling, 17. which, as 
they sling with large stones, reach only a short 
distance, while the Rhodians know how to use 
leaden ballets. 18. If then, we ascertain which 
of them have slings, and give money to each of 
them for them ; and pay money also to any one 
who is willing to plait more, and find some 
other privilege for him who consents to serve in 
the troop of slingers, possibly some will offer 
themselves who may be able to be of service to 
us. 19. I see also that there are horses in the 
army, some in my possession, and some left by 
Clearchus, besides many others taken from the 
enemy which are employed in carrying the bag- 
gage. If, then, we collect all these, and put 
ordinary baggage-cattle in their place, and equip 
the horses for riders, they will perhaps annoy 
the enemy in their flight." 20. These sugges- 
tions were approved ; and that very night there 
came forward slingers to the number of two hun- 
dred. The next day, as many as fifty horse- 
men and horses were pronounced fit for service ; 
leathern jackets and breastplates were furnished 
to them; and Lycius the son of Polystratus an 
Athenian, was appointed their captain. 



122 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Mithridates again pursues the Greeks, but is repulsed, They 
reach the Tigris, encamp at Mespila, and are attacked by 
Tissaphernes with a numerous force. They repel him, and 
alter their order of march. Traversing a mountainous part 
of the country, they are harassed by the enemy, till, on 
getting possession of a height, they are enabled to reach 
the plain beyond it in safety. 

l. Having halted for that day, they went 
forward on the next, rising earlier in the morn- 
ing than usnal ; for they had a ravine formed by 
a torrent to pass, at which they were afraid that 
the enemy would attack them while they were 
crossing. 2. It was not till they had got over, 
however, that Mithridates again made his ap- 
pearance, having now with him a thousand horse, 
and archers and slin^ers to the number of four 
thousand; for he had solicited and obtained that 
number from Tissaphernes, promising that, if 
he received them, he would deliver the Greeks 
into his hands ; for he conceived a contempt for 
them, because, in his previous attack on them, 
though he had but a small force with him, he 
had suffered no loss, and thought that he had 
caused them great annoyance. 3. When the 
Greeks, having crossed, were distant about eight 
stadia from the ravine, Mithridates also passed 
over it with his force. Instructions had been 
issued to such of the peltasts and heavy-armed 
troops as were to pursue, and a charge had been 
given to the horsemen to pursue with boldness, 
as a sufficient force would follow to support 
them. 4. When therefore Mithridates overtook 



CII. 4.] GREEKS REACH MESPILA. 123 

them, and the slings and arrows began to take 
effect, a signal was given to the Greeks with 
the trumpet, and those who had been ordered 
immediately hastened to charge the enemy, the 
cavalry riding forward at the same time. The 
enemy however did not wait to receive their 
charge, but fled back to the ravine. 5. In the 
pursuit several of the Barbarian foot were 
killed, and about eighteen of the horse made 
prisoners in the defile. The Greeks, of their 
own impulse, mutilated the dead bodies, in order 
that the sight of them might be as horrible as 
possible to the enemy. 

6. The enemy, after faring thus, went off, and 
the Greeks advancing the rest of the day with- 
out molestation, arrived at the river Tigris. 7. 
Here was a large deserted city, the name of 
which was Larissa, and which the Medes had 
formerly inhabited. The breadth of its wall 
was five and twenty feet, and the height of it a 
hundred ; its circuit was two parasangs. It was 
built of bricks made of clay, but there was 
under it a stone foundation, the height of twenty 
feet. 8. This city the king of the Persians, at 
the time when the Persians wrested the empire 
from the Medes, was unable by any means to 
take ; a cloud, however, having covered the sun, 
hid it from view, till the people deserted it, and 
so it was taken. 9. Near the city was a stone 
pyramid, of the breadth of one plethrum, and 
the height of two plethra. Upon it were many 
of the Barbarians who had fled from the neigh- 
bouring villages. 

io. Hence they proceeded one day's journey, 



124 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. 111. 

six parasangs, to a large unoccupied fortress, 
situated near a city, the name of which was 
Mespila ; The Medes had formerly inhabited it. 
The foundation of the wall was of polished 
stone, full of shells, the breadth fifty feet, and 
the height fifty ; 11. and on it was constructed a 
wall of bricks, fifty feet broad, and a hundred 
high ; the circumference of it was six para- 
Fangs. Here Medea, the king's wife, is said to 
have taken refuge, when the Medes were de- 
prived of the empire by the Persians. 12. The 
king of the Persians, on besieging this city, was 
unable to reduce it either by length of time or 
by assault, but Jupiter, as with a thunder- 
stroke, deprived the inhabitants of their senses, 
and thus it was taken. 

13. Hence they proceeded one day's journey, 
a distance of four parasangs. In the course of 
this day's march Tissaphernes made his appear- 
ance, having with him the cavalry which he 
himself commanded, the force of Orontes, who 
had married the king's daughter, the Barbarian 
troops with which Cyrus went up, the troops 
with which the king's brother came to assist him, 
and, besides these, all that the king himself had 
given him ; so that his army appeared extremely 
numerous. 14. When he came near, he stationed 
some of his companies in the rear, and brought 
others round upon our flanks, but did not venture 
to make a charge, or" show any disposition to 
endanger himself, but ordered his men to use 
their slings and bows. 15. But when the Rhodi- 
ans, who were dispersed among the ranks, be- 
gan to use their slings, and the Scythian archers 



CH. 4.] CHANGE IN MARCHING. 125 

discharged their arrows, no one failing to hit a 
man, (for it would not have been easy to do so, 
even if they had been ever so desirous,) Tissa- 
phernes hastily retreated beyond reach of the 
missiles, and the other divisions drew off at the 
same time. 16. During the rest of the day the 
Greeks continued their march, and the enemy 
followed ; but the Barbarians no longer harassed 
them with their usual skirmishing ; for the Rho- 
dians sent their missiles to a greater distance 
than the Persians, and than most of the bow- 
men. 17. The bows of the Persians, too, were 
large, so that such of their arrows as were taken 
up, were of service to the Cretans, who con- 
tinued to use the enemy's arrows, and practised 
shooting by sending them far up into the air. A 
great number of bowstrings were also found in 
the villages, and some lead, so that they could 
use it for their slings. 

18. For that day, therefore, as soon as the 
Greeks reached the villages and encamped, the 
Barbarians went off, having had the worst in 
the skirmish ; and during the next the Greeks 
remained where they were, and collected pro- 
visions, for there was plenty of corn in the vil- 
lages. The day after, they proceeded through 
the open country, and Tissaphernes followed, 
hurling missiles at them from a distance. 19. 
Here the Greeks found that a square was a bad 
disposition for an army when the enemy was be- 
hind them ; for it must necessarily happen, that 
if the Hanks of the square close together from 
the road being narrow, or from hills or a bridge 
making it necessary, that the heavy-armed men 



126 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

must be pushed out of their places, and march 
with difficulty, being at the same time crowded 
together and thrown into confusion ; so that 
when in such disorder, they must be nearly use-' 
less. 20. And when, again, the flanks divide, 
those who were previously forced out of their 
places, must now of necessity separate, and the 
space between the flanks be left empty ; and 
men who are thrown into such a condition must 
doubtless lose heart, if the enemy are behind 
them. Whenever, too, they had to pass a 
bridge, or any other crossing-place, each hastened 
on to get first, and the enemy had then a fine 
opportunity of attacking them. 21. The gen- 
erals, seeing that such was the case, formed six 
companies of a hundred men each, and ap- 
pointed captains of these companies, as well as 
captains of fifty and captains of twenty-five. 
These captains and their companies, on the 
march, whenever the flanks of the square closed 
together, fell behind, so as to cause no disorder 
in the flanks, and then led on outside the flanks ; 
22. and whenever the sides of the square opened, 
they filled up the centre, if the opening was 
narrow, by companies ; if rather wide, by fif- 
ties ; if very wide, by twenty-fives ; so that the 
centre was always full. 23. If, then, it was 
necessary to pass any defile or bridge, they were 
not thrown into confusion, but the captains and 
companies went over in succession ; and if any- 
thing was needed in any part of the main body, 
these were at hand. In this order they ad- 
vanced four days' journey. 

24. As they were pursuing the fifth day's 



CH 4.] THE GREEKS STILL HARASSED. 127 

march, they observed a kind of palace, and 
several villages around it. The way to this 
place, they perceived, lay among high hills, 
which reached down from a mountain, at the 
foot of which the village was. These hills the 
Greeks were glad to see, as was natural, when 
the enemy's force consisted of cavalry. 25. But 
when, after leaving the plain, they had ascended 
the first hill, and were descending in order to 
mount the second, the Barbarians came upon 
them, and from the eminence began, under the 
lash, to hurl darts, use their slings, and shoot 
arrows, on the ground below ; 26. they wounded 
many, and had the advantage over the light- 
armed Greeks, and shut them up within the 
heavy-armed ; so that both the slingers and 
archers were that day entirely useless, being 
mixed with the crowd that had charge of the 
baggage. 27. When the Greeks, on being hard 
pressed, attempted pursuit, they mounted the 
height but slowly, as being heavily armed, while 
the enemy sprang up speedily. 28. When, 
again, they retreated back to the rest of the 
force, they fared equally ill. The same occur- 
rences took place on the second hill ; so that 
they thought it proper not to move the soldiers 
from the third hill, until they led up a body of 
peltasts to the mountain from the right wing of 
the square. 29. When these had got above the 
pursuing enemy, they no longer attacked them 
in their descent, fearing that they might be cut 
off from their own body, and that enemies 
might assail them on both sides. 30. Marching 
in this manner for the rest of the day, some by 



128 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

the route among the hills, and others advancing 
abreast of them along the mountain, they ar- 
rived at the villages, and appointed eight sur- 
geons, for there were many wounded. 

31. Here they remained three da}^s, both for 
the sake of the wounded, and because they 
found, at the same time, abundance of provis- 
ions, wheat-flour, wine, and -a great quantity of 
barley laid up for horses ; supplies which had 
been collected for the satrap of the country. 
On the fourth day they went down into the 
plain. 32. But as Tissaphernes overtook them 
with his forces, necessity taught them to encamp 
where they first saw a village, and not to march 
on still fighting ; for there were many unfitted 
for action, some wounded, some carrying the 
wounded, and some bearing the arms of those 
that carried them. 33. When however they 
were encamped, and the Barbarians, coming up 
to the village, attempted to skirmish with them, 
the Greeks had greatly the advantage ; for they 
found a great difference between sallying from 
their own ground to repulse the enemy, and 
fighting with a pursuing enemy on their march. 

34. When evening approached, it became time 
for the enemy to retire ; for the Barbarians 
never encamped at a less distance from the 
Greeks than sixty stadia, fearing lest the 
Greeks should attack them in the night. 35. 
For in the night a Persian army is difficult to 
manage ; as their horses are tied, and for the 
most part fastened by the feet, that they may 
not run away if they should be untied ; and if 
any sudden attack takes place, the Persians has 



CH. 4.] BARBARIANS OCCUPY THE PASSES. 129 

to put the housings on his horse, and to bridle 
him, and then, when he has put on his armour, 
to mount ; but all these things are troublesome 
by night and in the midst of an alarm. On this 
account, they encamped at a distance from the 
Greeks. 

36. As soon as the Greeks saw that they in- 
tended to retire, and were passing the order for 
doing so, proclamation was made among the 
Greeks, in the hearing of the enemy, that they 
were to collect their baggage ; when the Bar- 
barians, for some time, delayed their march ; 
but, when it grew late, they went off, for they 
did not think it expedient to march and arrive 
at their camp in the night. 37. When the 
Greeks observed them evidently moving away, 
they themselves 'also decamped and began to 
march, and acomplished as much as sixty stadia. 
There was thus so great a distance between the 
armies, that the enemy did not appear on the 
following day or on the third ; but on the 
fourth, the Barbarians, having gone forward in 
the night, occupied an elevated position on the 
right, on the route by which the Greeks were to 
pass ; the brow of a mountain, beneath which 
was the descent into the plain. 38. As soon as 
Cheirisophus saw that this eminence was pre- 
occupied, he sent for Xenophon from the rear, 
and ordered him to bring his peltasts and come 
to the front. 39.. Xenophon however did not 
bring the peltasts, (for he saw Tissaphernes, and 
all his force, in full view,) but, riding up ale 1 - 
asked, " Why do you call me ? " Cheiriso r 
replied, " You may see ; for the eminence 



132 THE ET 

.nE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

tne descent, has been pre-occupied against us, 
and it is impossible to pass, unless we cut off 
those who are on it. But why did you not 
bring the peltasts ? " 40. Xenophon replied 
that he did not think it right to leave the rear 
unguarded when the enemy were in sight. " But 
it is high time," he continued, " to consider how 
some of us may dislodge those men from the 
hill." 41. Xenophon now noticed that the sum- 
mit of the mountain was above their own army, 
and that there was a way from it to the hill 
where the enemy were, and exclaimed, " It is 
best for us, Cheirisophus, to hasten as quickly 
as possible to the summit, for if we gain this, 
those who are above our road will be unable to 
maintain their ground. But do you, if you 
please, remain with the army ; *I have a desire to 
go forward ; or, if you prefer it, proceed on to 
the mountain, and I will stay here." 42. " I 
leave you," replied Cheirisophus, "to choose 
which of the two you please." Xenophon, ob- 
serving that he was the younger, decided on ad- 
vancing, but requested Cheirisophus to send 
with him a detachment from the front, as it was 
too great a distance to bring one from the rear. 
43. Cheirisophus then sent with him the pel- 
tasts from the front ; and he took those that 
were in the middle of the square. Cheirisophus 
also ordered the three hundred that he had with 
him at the head of the square, consisting of 
nicked men, to follow Xenophon. 

44. The party then marched forward with all 

ible speed. But the enemy on the heights, 

they perceived that the Greeks were 



CH. 4.] THE GREEKS FORCE A i 

directing their course towards the summit, n 
ried forward also themselves to contend for the 
possession of the summit. 45. There was then 
great shouting from the Grecian army, cheering 
their men, and great shouting also from the 
troops of Tissaphernes, cheering on theirs. 46. 
Xenophon, riding along on horseback, encour- 
aged his party, saying, " Consider, soldiers, that 
yon are contending for Greece; that after a 
brief struggle now, we shall march the rest of 
the way without fighting, to join our children 
and our wives." 47. Soterides, a Sicyonian, cried 
out, " We are not upon an equality, Xenophon ; 
for you are carried on a horse, while I have 
hard work to carry my shield." 48. Xenophon, 
on hearing this remark, leaped from his horse, 
pushed Soterides from the ranks, took from him 
his shield, and marched on with it as fast as he 
was able. He happened however to have on 
his horseman's corselet, so that he was dis- 
tressed. Yet he continued to exhort the men in 
front to lead on gently, and those behind, who 
followed with difficulty, to come up. 49. But 
the rest of the soldiers beat and threw stones at 
Soterides, and reviled him, till they obliged him 
to resume his shield and march in his place. 
Xenophon, remounting, led the way, as long as 
it was passable for his horse, on horseback, but 
when it became impassable, he left his horse be- 
hind, and hastened forward on foot. Thus they 
got the start of the enemy, and arrived first at 
the summit. 



132 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 



CHAPTER V. 

The Greeks arrive at a point where the Carduchian moun- 
tains overhang the river, and, as they are still harassed by 
the enemy, the generals hold a consultation, and determine 
to march across the mountains. 

1. The Barbarians, in consequence, turned 
their backs and tied every one as he could, and 
the Greeks took possession of the top of the 
hill. Tissaphernes and Ariaeus turned aside, 
and went off in another direction. Cheiriso- 
phus and his forces, going down into the plain, 
encamped in a village abounding with acceptable 
supplies ; and there were also in this plain many 
other villages stored with excellent provisions, 
lying along the river Tigris. 2. When it was 
evening, the enemy suddenly showed themselves 
in the plain, and cut off some of the Greeks 
who were dispersed over the ground foraging ; 
for several herds of cattle had been intercepted 
as they were being transported to the other side 
of the river. 3. Here Tissaphernes and his 
party attempted to set fire to the villages, and 
some of the Greeks were much disheartened, be- 
ing apprehensive that, if they should burn them, 
they would have no place whence to procure 
supplies. 

4. Cheirisophus and his men now returned 
from giving succor ; and Xenophon, when he 
came down, riding past the ranks, as the Greeks, 
coming in from affording aid, met him, said, 5. 
Ai You see, Greeks, that the enemy admit that the 
^untry is now ours, for whereas they stipulated, 






CH. 5.] GREEKS HOLD A COUNCIL. 133 

when they made the truce, that we should riot 
burn the king's country, they now burn it them- 
selves, as being no longer theirs. But wher- 
ever they leave supplies for themselves, thither 
also they shall see us direct our march. 6. I 
think, however, Cheirisophus," continued he, 
" that we ought to resist these burners, as if in 
defence of our own territory." "I," replied 
Cheirisqphus, " am of a different opinion ; rather 
let us burn also,*' said he, " and thus they will 
the sooner cease." 

7. When they returned to their quarters, the 
soldiers busied themselves about their provisions, 
but the generals and captains held a council. 
There was now much perplexity; for on one 
side of them were exceeding high mountains, 
and on the other a river of such depth that, 
when they sounded it, their spears did not rise 
above the water. 8. While they were in doubt 
how to act, a Rhodian came to them, and said, 
" I am willing to convey you across, O Greeks, 
by four thousand heavy-armed men at a time, if 
you will furnish me with what I require for the 
purpose, and give me a talent as a remunera- 
tion." 9. Being asked what he should require, 
he replied, " I shall want two thousand hides 
made into bags ; and I see here many sheep, 
goats, oxen, and asses, the hides of which, being 
blown out, would easily furnish the means of 
crossing. 10. I shall want also the ropes which 
you use for the baggage-cattle ; joining, with these, 
the bags to one another, steadying each bag by 
attaching stones to it, letting the stones down 
like anchors into the water, extending the bags 



134 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. III. 

across the stream, and securing them to both 
banks, I will then lay wood upon them, and 
strew earth over the wood. 11. That you will 
not sink, you will at once see ; for each skin 
will prevent two men from sinking, and the 
wood and earth will keep them from slipping 
off." 12. The generals, on hearing this proposal, 
thought the invention ingenious, but the execu- 
tion of it impossible, for there were numerous 
cavalry on the other side to hinder their passage, 
who, at the commencement, would not have 
allowed the first that made the attempt to effect 
their purposes. 

13. The next day they retreated back towards 
Babylon, to some unburnt villages, having first 
set fire to those which they abandoned ; so that 
the enemy did not come up to them, but watched 
them, and seemed to be wondering which way 
the Greeks would turn themselves, and what 
they had in their mind. 14. The rest of the 
soldiers then turned their thoughts to getting 
supplies ; but the generals and captains held 
another council, and, bringing together the pris- 
oners, questioned them as to the whole country 
around, what each part was. 15. They said 
that the parts toward the south were on the 
road towards Babylon and Media, through which 
the Greeks had come ; that the road towards 
the east led to Susa and Ecbatana, where the 
king was said to pass the summer and spring; 
that the one across the river, towards the west, 
led to Lydia and Ionia ; and that the other over 
the mountains, towards the north, led to the 
Carduchi. 16. This people, they said, lived 



CH. 5.] THE GREEKS' SACRIFICE. 135 

among the mountains, were very warlike, and 
did not obey the king ; that on one occasion, a 
royal army of a hundred and twenty thousand 
men had penetrated into their country, whence, 
from the impracticability of the ground, not one 
of them returned; but that, whenever they 
made a treaty with the satrap of the plain, some 
of them had intercourse with the Carduchi, and 
some of the fcarduchi with them. 17. The gen- 
erals, having heard these statements, kept apart 
by themselves those who said that they knew 
the road in each direction, not letting it be 
known which way they intended to go. It ap- 
peared necessary to the generals, however, to 
make their way over the mountains into the 
country of the Carduchi ; for the prisoners said 
that after passing through this they would come 
to Armenia, a large and rich country, of which 
Orontes was governor, whence it would be easy 
for them to go whichever way they pleased. 

18. With reference to this proceeding, they 
made a sacrifice, in order that, when it should 
seem time, they might commence their march ; 
for they were afraid that the passage over the 
mountains might be pre-occupied by the enemy ; 
and they gave orders, that when the soldiers 
had supped, they should all pack up their bag- 
gage and go to rest, and follow their leaders 
whenever the signal should be given. 



136 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 



BOOK IV. 



CHAPTER I. 

The Greeks enter the territory of the Carduchi, where they 
suffer greatly from the wind and cold, as well as from the 
Barbarians, who harass them with frequent attacks on 
their march. 

1. What occurred in the expedition up the 
country to the time of the battle, and what took 
place after the battle during the truce which the 
king and the Greeks that went up with Cyrus 
concluded, and what hostilities were committed 
against the Greeks after the king and Tissapher- 
nes had violated the truce, and while the Per- 
sian army was pursuing them, have been related 
in the preceding part of the narrative. 

2. When they had arrived at a spot where 
the Tigris was quite impassable from its depth 
and width, and where there was no passage 
along its banks, as the Carduchian mountains 
hung steep over the stream, it appeared to the 
generals that they must march over those moun- 
tains, 3. for they had heard from the prisoners 
that " if they could but cross the Carduchian 
mountains, they would be able to ford, if they 
wished, the sources of the Tigris in Armenia, 
or, if they declined doing so, to make a circuit 
around them." The sources of the Euphrates, 
too, they said were not far from those of the 
Tigris ; and such is the truth. 






CH. 1.] THE GREEKS ADVANCE. 137 

4. Their entrance upon the territory of the 
Carduchi they made in the following manner, 
endeavouring at once to escape observation, and 
to anticipate the enemy in getting possession of 
the heights. 5. When it was about the last 
watch, and enough of the night was left to allow 
them to cross the plain under cover of the dark- 
ness, they arose at a given signal, and, marching 
onwards, reached the hills by break of day. 6. 
Here Cheirisophus took the lead of the army, 
having with him both his own men and all the 
light-armed ; while Xenophon brought up the 
rear with the heavy-armed troops, having not a 
single light-armed soldier ; for there seemed to 
be no danger that any of the enemy would at- 
tack them in the rear as tliey were marching up 
the mountains. Cheirisophus indeed mounted 
the summit before any of the enemy perceived 
him ; he then led slowly forward ; 7. and each 
portion of the army, as it passed the summit in 
succession, followed him to the villages which 
lay in the windings and recesses of the moun- 
tains. 8. The Carduchi, in consequence, quit- 
ting their dwellings, and taking with them their 
wives and children, fled to the hills. There 
was plenty of provisions left for the Greeks to 
take ; and the houses were furnished with great 
numbers of brazen utensils, none of which the 
Greeks took away. Nor did they pursue the 
people, being inclined to spare them, if by 
chance the Carduchi, since they were enemies 
to the king, might consent to allow them to 
pass through their country as that of friends ; 9. 
the provisions, however, as many as fell in their 



138 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

way, they carried off ; for it was a matter of 
necessity to do so. But as for the Carduchi 
themselves, they would neither listen when they 
called, nor did they give any other sign of 
friendly feeling. 

10. But when the rear of the Greeks was 
descending from the hills into the villages, being 
now overtaken by darkness, (for, as the way was 
narrow, their ascent of the heights, and descent 
to the villages, had lasted the entire day,) some 
of the Carduchi, collecting together, attacked 
the hindmost, and killed and wounded some of 
them with stones and arrows. They were but 
few ; for the Greek troops had come on them 
unawares ; 11. but had they assembled in greater 
numbers, a great part of the army would have 
been in danger of being destroyed. For this 
night, accordingly, they took up their abode in 
the villages ; and the Carduchi lighted a number 
of fires around them on the hills, and observed the 
positions of one another. 12. As soon as it was 
day, the generals and captains of the Greeks, 
meeting together, resolved, when they should 
march, to reserve only such of the baggage- 
cattle as were most necessary and most able, 
abandoning the rest, and to dismiss all the slaves 
in the army that had been recently captured ; 13. 
for the cattle and the slaves, being numerous, 
rendered their progress slow, and the number of 
men in charge of them were unable to take part 
in any encounter ; and besides, when the men 
were so numerous, it was necessary to procure 
and carry with them a double quantity of pro- 
visions. This resolution being passed, they 



CH. 1.] HARASSED BY BARBARIANS. 139 

made proclamation that the troops should act 
accordingly. 

14. When they had breakfasted, and were on 
the march, the generals, taking their stand in a 
narrow part of the way, took from the soldiers 
whatever of the things mentioned they found 
had not been left behind ; and the men submit- 
ted tolhis, unless any of them, smitten with de- 
sire of a handsome boy or woman, conveyed 
them past secretly. Thus they proceeded dur- 
ing this day, sometimes having to fight a little, 
and sometimes resting themselves. 15. On the 
next day a great storm arose ; but they were 
obliged to pursue their march, for they had not 
a sufficient supply of provisions. Cheirisophus 
continued to lead, and Xenophon had charge of 
the rear. 16. The enemy pressed steadily up- 
on them, and, where the passes were narrow, 
came close up, and used their bows and their 
slings; so that the Greeks, sometimes pursuing 
and sometimes retreating, were compelled to 
march but slowly ; and Xenophon, when the 
enemy attacked them violently, had frequently 
to pass the word for a halt. 17. Cheirisophus, 
at other times, when the order was passed, 
halted, but on one occasion he did not halt, but 
hurried on rapidly, and passed the word to fol- 
low ; so that it was manifest that there was 
something extraordinary ; but there was no time 
to go forward and ascertain the cause of the 
haste ; and the march of the rear-guard became 
like a flight. 18. On this occasion a brave sol- 
dier, Cleonymus a Lacedaemonian, met his death, 
being shot with an arrow in the side through 



140 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

his shield and corslet ; and also Basias, an Arca- 
dian, shot right through the head. 

19. When they arrived at the place of en- 
campment, Xenophon immediately proceeded, 
just as he was, to Cheirisophus, and blamed him 
for not having halted, as the men had been com- 
pelled to flee and fight at the same time. ki Two 
honourable and brave soldiers," said he, "have 
now been killed, and we have been unable either 
to carry off their bodies or bury them." 20. 
To this remark Cheirisophus answered, " Cast 
your eyes upon those mountains, and observe 
how impassable they all are. The only road 
which you see is steep ; and close upon it you 
may perceive a great multitude of men, who, 
having occupied the pass, keep guard at it. 21. 
For these reasons I hastened on, and therefore 
did not wait for you, to try if I could get the 
start of the enemy before the pass was seized ; 
and the guides whom we have say that there is 
no other road." 22. Xenophon rejoined, " I 
have two prisoners ; for when the enemy mo- 
lested us, we placed an ambush, which enabled 
us to recover breath, and killed some of them ; 
and we were also anxious to take some alive for 
this very purpose, that we might use them, as 
being well acquainted with the country, for 
guides." 

23. Immediately after, bringing forward tlv. 
two men, they inquired of them separately 
whether they knew of any other road than that 
which was open to their view. The one denied 
that he knew of any other, though many threats 
were held out to him ; and as he would give no 



CH. 1.] VOLUNTEERS OFFER THEMSELVES. 141 

useful information, he was put to- death in sight 
of the other. 24. The survivor said that the 
other had denied any knowledge of a road, be- 
cause he had a daughter there married to some- 
body, but stated that he himself would lead 
them by a road that might be passed even by 
beasts of burden. 25. Being then asked if there 
was any spot in it difficult to be passed, he re- 
plied that there was one height, and that unless 
a party secured it before-hand, it would be im- 
possible for them to pass. 26. Upon this it was 
thought proper to call together the captains, 
both of the peltasts and of the heavy-armed 
men, and to acquaint them with the prospect of 
affairs, and ask whether any of them was will- 
ing to prove himself a man of valour, and en- 
gage to go on this service as a volunteer. 27. 
Of the heavy-armed, Aristonymus of Methy- 
drium, and Agasias of Stymphalus, both Arca- 
dians, offered themselves ; and Callimachus of 
Parrhasia, also an Arcadian, disputed the hon- 
our with them, and said that he himself was 
eager to go, taking with him volunteers from 
the whole army ; " for I am sure," said lie, 
" that many of the young men will follow if I 
take the lead." 28. They then asked if any of 
the officers of the light-armed troops were will- 
ing to join in the attempt ; and Aristeas of Chios 
uresented himself, a man who had often proved 
himself of great value to the army for similar 
services. 



142 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 



CHAPTER II. 

One of the prisoners is forced to guide them to an eminence, 
from which they dislodge the Carduchi. But they are still 
harassed, and the rear suffers severely. 

1. It was now afternoon, and the generals de- 
sired the party to take some refreshment and set 
forward. Having bound the guide, they put 
him into their hands, and arranged with them, 
that, if they should gain the summit, they should 
keep guard at that post during the night, and 
give a signal by trumpet at break of day, and 
that those on the height should then charge the 
enemy in possession of the apparent egress, and 
those below should issue forth and come in a 
body to their assistance as soon as they were 
able. 

2. When they had made this arrangement, the 
party set out, being in number about two thous- 
and ; and there was heavy rain at the time. 
Xenophon, taking the rear-guard, led them tow- 
ards the apparent egress, in order that the enemy 
might turn their attention in that direction, and 
that those who were going round might as much 
as possible escape notice. 3. But when the rear- 
guard came to a ravine, which they had to pass 
to gain the ascent, the Barbarians then rolled 
down masses of rock, each big enough to load a 
waggon, with other stones greater and smaller, 
which, striking in their descent against the rocks, 
were hurled abroad in all directions ; and it was 
utterly impossible even to approach the pass. 4. 
Some of the captains, when they could not sue- 






CH. 2.] BARBARIANS RETREAT. 143 

ceed in this part, made attempts in another, and 
continued their efforts till darkness came on. 
When they thought that they might retire un- 
observed, they went to get their supper ; for the 
rear-guard had been dinnerless that day. The 
enemy, however, being evidently in fear, con- 
tinued to roll down stones through the whole of 
the night, as it was easy to conjecture from the 
noise. 5. Those, meanwhile, who had the gir ' 
taking a circuitous route, surprised a gxu rd of 
the enemy sitting round a fire, an^V having 
killed some of them, and put the r^ k t, 

remained on the spot, with the notion th; tfi%y 
were in possession of the m nit. 6, But in 
possession of it they wer> ^ere was a 

small hi]l -hove them, rou ^ lay the nar- 

rt pass, at which the g : >d been posted. 

here was a way from thence to that 
party of the enemy who were stationed at the 
open egress. 7. Here they remained during the 
night. 

As soon as day began to da win, they advanced 
in regular order, and with siLence, against the 
enemy ; and as there was a , mist, they came 
close upon them before they were perceived. 
But when they caught sight of one another, the 
trumpet sounded on the side of phe Greeks, who, 
raising the shout of battle, r'ushed upon the 
enemy. The Barbarians did not stand their 
charge, but quitted the pass a'nd fed; only a 
few of them were killed, for thi>v were active in 
moving off. 8. At the same t ime the party of 
Cheirisophus, hearing the soun^' of the trumpet, 
marched immediately up the pljam track ; while 



.1 



144 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS [i3. IV. 

others of the officers proceeded by untrodden 
paths, where each happened to be, and, climbing 
up as well as they could, drew up one another 
with their spears ; 9. and these were the first to 
join those who had secured the position. Xeno- 
phon, with the half of the rear-guard, went up 
by the same way as those who had the guide ; 
for it was the most practicable for the baggage- 
cattle ; the other half he ordered to come up be- 
hind the cattle. 10. In their way they came to 
<f\ hill overhanging the road, which was occupied 
b} the enemy, whom they must either dislodge 
or be separated from the rest of the Greeks. 
The m.;,;i themselves, indeed, might have gone 
the same w^ as the rest of x1 army, but the 
baggage by no r route 

than this. 11. Sucourag ther, there- 

fore, they an attack upon e hill in 

files, not on ev» :y side, but leaving a way of 
escape for $<e en^my, if they should be inclined 
to flee. 12. For a while, as they were making 
their way as eacjh best could, the Barbarians 
shot arrows and threw stones at them, but did 
not receive t n close encounter, and at last 

abandoned the place entirety. 

The Greeks hjad no sooner passed the hill, 
than they caugiii ; ;ight of another before them 
occupied also by the enemy. Upon this hill it 
was resolved likewise to make an assault. 13. 
But Xenophon, n pprehending that, if he left the 
hill which they h; ul taken unguarded, the enemy, 
recovering it, might attack the baggage-cattle as 
they were passu ,g 3 (for the train of baggage- 
cattle reached 1 > Te at distance, as they were 



CH. 2.] THE GREEKS HARASSED. 145 

marching along a narrow path.) left upon the 
hill the captains Cephisodorus the son of Cep- 
hisophon, an Athenian, Amphicrates the son of 
Amyhidemus, an Athenian, and Archagoras, an 
exile from Argos, while he himself, with the 
others, directed his march upon the second hill, 
which they also captured in a similar manner. 
14. However, there was still a third hill left for 
them to take, which was by far the steepest of 
the whole ; this was an eminence that overhung 
the post where the guard was surprised in the 
night by the volunteers. 15. But as the Greek's 
came up, the Barbarians deserted the hill with- 
out attempting any defence, so that all were sur- 
prised, and suspected that they had left their 
position from fear of bein. unded and be- 

sieged in it. But the truth was, that having ob- 
served from the eminence what had passed be- 
hind, they all went off with the intention of 
attacking the rear. 

16. Xenophon, with the youngest of his men, 
ascended to the top, and ordered the rest to 
march on slowly, so that tie companies in the 
rear might join them; and lie directed them, 
after proceeding some dist i ;ce, to halt under 
arms, on a level piece of ground. 17. At this 
juncture Aristagoras the Argivej came fleeing 
from the enemy, and said th the Greeks were 
driven from the first hill, and that Cephisodorus, 
and Amphicrates, and all the res^ who had not 
leaped from the rock, and joined the rear-guard, 
had been killed. 18. The Barbarians, after this 
success, appeared upon an eminence opposite the 
third hill, and Xenophon began to treat with 




146 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [B. IV. 

them, through an interpreter, about making a 
truce, and called upon them to give up the dead. 
19. They replied, that they would give them up 
on condition that he would not burn their vil- 
lages. To this Xenophon agreed. But while 
the rest of the army was passing on, and these 
were discussing the terms of a truce, all the Bar- 
barians from that part of the country had flocked 
together. Here the enemy made a stand; 20. 
and when Xenophon's party began to descend 
the hill, to join the others where the heavy- 
armed troops were drawn up, they came forward 
in great numbers and with loud shouts. When 
they had reached the top of the hill from which 
Xenophon was descending, they rolled down 
stones, and broke the leg of one man ; and Xen- 
ophon's shield-bearer deserted him, carrying off 
his shield, 21. but Eurylochus, an Arcadian from 
Lusia, a heavy-armed soldier, ran to his support, 
and went on holding his shield before them 
both ; and the rest went to join those who were 
already drawn up. 

22. The entire Grecian force was now to- 
gether, and took up their quarters in a number of 
good houses, and in the midst of abundance of 
provisions. Wine was so abundant, that they 
kept it in excavations under ground, which were 
plastered over. 23. Xenophon and Cheiriso- 
phus now madr- an agreement with the enemy, 
that on receiving the dead bodies they should 
give up the guide ; and they performed all 
funeral rites for th :■. deceased, as far as they 
could, according to what is usually done at the 
interment of brav men. 24. The next day 



CH. 2.] THE GREEKS STILL HARASSED. 147 

they proceeded without a guide ; and the enemy, 
sometimes by skirmishing, and sometimes, where 
there was a narrow pass, by pre-occupying it, 
endeavoured to obstruct their progress. 25. 
Whenever therefore they impeded the front, 
Xenophon, ascending the hills from the rear, 
endeavoured to break through the opposition 
made Jn that quarter, trying always to reach 
higher ground than the obstructing enemy ; 26. 
and when they assailed the rear, Cheirisophus, 
quitting his place, and striving also to get above 
the enemy, removed the obstruction that was 
offered to the passage of that part of the army. 
Thus they relieved and supported each other 
with effect. 27. Sometimes, too, when the Greeks 
had ascended eminences, the Barbarians gave 
them great annoyance in their descent ; and, as 
they were nimble, they could escape, though 
they had but a very short start of us ; for they 
were encumbered with no other v/eapons than 
bows and slings. 28. As archers they were 
very expert, and had bows nearly three cubits 
long, and arrows above two cubits; and they 
drew the string, whenever they discharged their 
arrows, advancing the left foot against the lower 
extremity of the bow. Their arrows penetrated 
through shields and corslets; abd the Greeks, 
taking them up, made use ot them as javelins, 
fixing thongs to them. In these parts the Cre- 
tans were of the greatest service. Stratocles, a 
Cretan, had the command of them. 



148 THE EXPEDITION OF CYKUS. [B. IV 



CHAPTER III. 

The Greeks arrive at the river Centrites, which divides the 
Card uchi from Armenia. They see the Persians drawn up 
on the opposite bank, while tlie Carduchi threaten their 
rear. They are encouraged by a dream of Xenophon's to 
try a ford, and effect a sate passage across the stream. 

l. This day the Greeks abode in the villages 
above the plain near the river Centrites, the 
breadth of which is about two-hundred feet, and 
which forms the boundary between Armenia and 
the territory of the Carduchi. Here they took 
some rest bein ; glad to see a piece of level 
country. The river is distant from the moun- 
tains of the Carduchi about six or seven stadia. 
2. It was with great satisfaction that they stayed 
here, as they had a sufficiency of provisions, and 
were frequently reflecting on the difficulties that 
were past, for, during seven days that they had 
been marching raong the Carduchi, they had 
been constant 1 > fighting, and had suffered more 
evils than all th< 3 which they had endured from 
the king and Ti-jsaphernes. Having escaped 
from such hardships, they gladly took repose. 

3. At day >reak, however, they perceived on 
the other side of the river a body of cavalry, in 
complete armour, ready to prevent them from 
crossing, and on the high banks above the cav- 
alry, another of foot prepared to hinder them 
from entering Armenia. 4. These were Armeni- 
ans, Mardia: s raid Chalda^ns, mercenary troops 
of Orontes and Artuchas. The Chaldasans were 
said to be a free people, and warlike ; for arms 



CH. 3.] GREEKS AT RIVER CENTRITES. 149 

they had long shields and spears. 5. The high 
banks on which these forces were drawn up, 
were three or four hundred feet from the river ; 
and the only road that was visible was one that 
led upward, apparently a work of art. Here 
the Greeks endeavoured to cross, 6. but as, on 
making trial, the water rose above their breasts, 
and the bed of the river was rough with large 
and slippery stones, and as it was impossible for 
them to carry their arms in the water, or, if 
they attempted to do so, the river swept them 
away, (while, if any of them took their arms on 
their heads, they became exposed to the arrows 
and other missils of the enemy,) they in conse- 
quence retreated, and encamped at the side of 
the river. 

7. They now perceived the Carduchi assem- 
bled in great numbers under arms on the spot 
where they themselves had been on the previous 
night. Hence great despondency was felt by 
the Greeks, as they knew the difficulty of pass- 
ing the river, and saw the Carduchi ready to 
attack them if they attempted to cross. 8. This 
day, therefore, and the following night, they re- 
mained where they were in great perplexity. 
Xenophon however had a dream; he thought 
that he was bound in fetters, but that they fell off 
him of their own accord, so that he was set at 
liberty, and walked securely whithersoever he 
pleased. 9. When the morning approached, he 
went to Cheirisophus, told him that he had 
hopes that all would be well, and related to him 
his dream. Cheirisophus was much pleased, 
and, as soon as it was day, all the generals who 



150 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

were present offered sacrifice, and the victims 
were favourable at the very first. As soon as 
they left the place of sacrifice, the generals and 
captains gave directions to the troops to take 
their breakfast. 

10. While Xenophon was at breakfast, two 
young men came running up to him, for every 
one knew that it was allowable to approach him 
whether breakfasting or supping, and to wake 
him and speak to him even when asleep, if they 
had anything to tell of affairs relating to the 
war. 11. The youths informed him that they 
had been gathering sticks for their fire, and had 
chanced to see, on the opposite side of the 
river, among the rocks that reached down to the 
stream itself, an old man, a woman, and some 
girls, depositing in a cavernous rock what ap- 
peared to be bags of clothes ; 12. that when they 
saw this, they thought it would be safe to cross, 
as the ground at that point was inaccessible to 
the enemy's horse ; that having taken off their 
clothes, and taken their daggers in their hands, 
they went over undressed, in expectation of hav- 
ing to swim, but that, as they went on, they 
reached the other side before they were wet to 
the middle, and, having thus forded the stream 
and taken the clothes, they came back again. 13. 
Xenophon immediately therefore made a liba- 
tion, and ordered the young men to join in it, 
and to pray to the gods who had sent the 
dream and pointed out the ford, to complete 
what was wanting to their success. After the 
libation, he at once conducted the youths to 
Cheirisophus, and to him they gave the same 



CH. 3.] PREPARING TO FORD THE RIVER. 151 

account. Cheirisophus, on hearing it, made a 
libation also. 

14. When the libation was over, they gave 
orders to the soldiers to get their baggage ready ; 
while they themselves, calling the rest of the 
generals together, consulted with them how they 
might cross the river to the best advantage, and 
how they might defeat the enemy in front, and 
suffer no damage from those in the rear. 15. It 
was then resolved that Cheirisophus should take 
the lead, and cross over with half of the army, 
that the other half should stay behind with 
Xenophon, and that the baggage-cattle and 
camp-followers should go over between the two. 
16. When these matters were fairly arranged, 
they began to move, the young men acting as 
guides, and keeping the river on the left, the 
distance to the ford being about four stadia. 17. 
As they proceeded, the lines of the enemy's 
cavalry advanced abreast of them on the oppo- 
site bank ; and when they came to the ford, and 
the margin of the river, they halted, laying 
down their arms; and then Cheirisophus him- 
self, placing a chaplet upon his head, and laying 
aside his outer garments, took up his arms and 
jcommanded the rest to follow his example, 
and directing the captains to lead their troops in 
files, some on his left hand, and some on his 
right. 18. The augurs at the same time sacri- 
ficed victims over the river ; while the enemy 
plied their bows and* slings, but did not reach 
the Greeks. 19. As the sacrifices appeared 
favourable, all the soldiers sung the paean and 
raised a shout, and all the women (for there 



152 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

were a number of the men's mistresses in the 
army) joined in the cry. 

20. Cheirisophus and his men then entered 
the stream ; and Xenophon, taking the most 
active of the rear-guard, marched at full speed 
back to the ford opposite the outlet into the 
mountains of Armenia, making a feint that he 
meant to cross the river there, and thus cut off 
the cavalry that were on the bank ; 21. when the 
enemy, seeing Cheirisophus and his men crossing 
over with ease, and Xenophon and his party 
hurrying back, were afraid of being intercepted, 
and fled with precipitation to gain the outlet 
that led up from the river, and as soon as they 
came to that passage, they directed their course 
up into the mountains. 22. Lycius, who had 
the command of the troop of horse, and iEschi- 
nes who commanded the band of peltasts, at- 
tending on Cheirisophus, seeing the enemy 
retreating with so much haste, set off in pursuit 
of them ; and the rest of the soldiers called to 
each other not to stay behind, but to go along 
with them up the mountains. 23. But Cheiriso- 
phus, when he had crossed the river, did not 
follow the cavalry, but made his way up the 
high banks that readied down to the river, to 
attack that portion of the enemy that were on 
a more elevated ground. This party on the 
heights, however, seeing their cavalry take to 
flight, abandoned their commanding position 
above the stream. 

24. Xenophon, when he saw that all was go- 
ing well on the other side, returned with all 
possible speed to join that part of the army 



CH. 3.] PASSAGE OF THE CENTRITES. 153 

which was crossing over ; for the Carduchi were 
evidently descending into the plain, with the 
view of falling upon the rear. 25. Cheirisopllus 
was now in possession of the heights, and Lycius, 
who, with his small party, had proceeded in pur- 
suit of the enemy, had captured some of their 
baggage that they had left behind, and amongst 
it some rich garments and drinking-cups. 26. 
The baggage and camp followers of the Greeks 
were still in the act of crossing ; and Xenophon, 
turning towards the Carduchi, halted under 
arms over against them, and ordered the captains 
to form each his own company into divisions of 
live and twenty men, bringing round each divis- 
ion in line towards the left; and he directed 
both the captains, and the officers of the divis- 
ions of five and twenty, to advance facing the 
Carduchi, and the rearmost to halt facing the 
river. 

27. The Carduchi, when they observed that 
the rear-guard of the camp-followers w T as dimin- 
ished in number, and that they seemed now 
indeed to be but few, advanced at a quicker 
pace, singing at the same time certain songs. 
Cheirisophus, when he saw that all was safe on 
his own side, sent the peltasts, and the slingers 
and archers, to Xenophon, desiring them to do 
whatsoever he should direct. 28. Xenophon, 
seeing them beginning to cross, sent a messenger 
to desire that they should remain by the river 
where they were, without crossing, and that, 
when his own party should begin to cross, they 
should come forward into the water on each side 
opposite to him, the javelin-men holding their 



154 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

weapons by the thong, and the archers with 
their arrows on the string, as if with the inten- 
tion of crossing over, but not to advance far in- 
to the river. 29. His own men he ordered, as 
soon as a sling should reach them and a shield 
should ring, to raise the paean and rush towards 
the enemy ; and he directed that when the 
enemy should take to flight, and the trumpeter 
should sound the signal of attack from the river, 
the rear should wheel to the right and take the 
lead, and that they should then all run forward 
as fast as possible, and cross over at that part 
where each happened to be stationed, so as not 
to impede one another ; telling them that he 
would be the best man who should first reach 
the opposite side. 30. The Carduchi, seeing 
that those who were left were but few, (for many 
even of those who had been ordered to stay had 
gone away, some to take care of the cattle, some 
of their baggage, and others of their mistresses,) 
began, in consequence to press forward boldly, 
and to use their slings and bows. 31. The 
Greeks then sang the paean, and rushed upon 
them at full speed ; and the Barbarians did not 
stand their charge; for though they were well 
enough equipped for a sudden onset and retreat 
upon the mountains, they were by no means suf- 
ficiently armed to receive an enemy hand to 
hand. At this juncture the trumpeter sounded, 
32. when the enemy fled still faster, and the 
Greeks turning in the opposite direction, made 
their way over the river with all possible speed. 
33. Some of the enemy, perceiving this move- 
ment, ran back to the river, and wounded a 



CH. 4.] GREEKS ENTER ARMENIA. 155 

few of our men with their arrows ; but the 
greater number of them, even when the Greeks 
were on the other side, were observed to con- 
tinue their flight. 34. The troops, meanwhile, 
that came to meet Xenophon, being carried away 
by their courage, and advancing too far, repassed 
the river in the rear of Xenophon's men ; and 
some of these also were wounded. 



CHAPTER IV. 



The Greeks enter Armenia, pass the sources of the Tigris, 
and arrive at the Teleboas. They make a treaty with Tiri- 
bazus, the governor of the province, and discover his insin- 
cerity. 

l. When they had crossed and had ar- 
ranged themselves in order about noou, they 
proceeded through the country of Armenia, con- 
sisting wholly of plains and gently sloping hills, 
a distance of not less than five parasangs ; for 
there were no villages near the river, in conse- 
quence of the hostilities with the Carduchi. 2. 
The village, however, at which they at length 
arrived, was of considerable size, and contained 
a palace for the satrap ; upon most of the houses 
there were towers, and provisions were in great 
plenty. 

3. Hence they proceeded, two days' journey, 
a distance of ten parasangs, until they passed 
round the sources of the river Tigris. From hence 
they advanced, three days' journey, fifteen para- 
sangs, to the river Teleboas, a stream not large, 
indeed, but of much beauty ; and there were 



156 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

many villages on its banks. 4. This part of the 
country was called Western Armenia. The 
deputy-governor of it was Tiribazus, who was 
an intimate friend of the king; and no one else, 
when he was present, assisted the king to mount 
his horse. 5. He now rode up with a body of 
cavalry, and sending forward an interpreter, said 
that he wished to speak with the commanders. 
The generals thought proper to hear what he 
had to say, and, advancing within hearing, asked 
what he wanted. 6. He replied, that he wished 
to make a treaty with them, on the conditions 
that he himself should not hurt the Greeks, and 
that the Greeks should not burn the houses, but 
should be at liberty to take such provisions as 
they required. This proposal was agreeable to 
the generals, and they concluded a treaty upon 
these terms. 

7. Hence they proceeded, three days' march, 
a distance of fifteen parasangs, through a plain ; 
and Tiribazus followed them with his troops, 
keeping at the distance of about ten stadia. 
They then came to a palace, with several vil- 
lages around it stored with abundance of pro- 
visions. 8. While they were encamped, there 
fell a great quantity of snow in the night ; and 
in the morning it was thought advisable that the 
companies and officers should take up their 
quarters in the neighbouring villages ; for they 
perceived no enemy, and it appeared to be safe 
on account of the quantity of the snow. 9. Here 
they found all kinds of excellent provisions, 
cattle, corn, old wines of great fragrance, dried 
grapes, and vegetables of all kinds. 



CH. 4.] SNOW FALLS. 157 

Some of the soldiers, however, who had 
strolled away from the camp, brought word that 
they had caught sight of an army, and that 
many fires had been visible during the night. 
10. The generals thought it unsafe, therefore, 
for the troops to quarter apart, and resolved to 
bring the whole army together again. They 
accordingly assembled, for it seemed to be clear- 
ing up. n. But as they were passing the night 
here, there fell a vast quantity of snow, so that 
it covered both the arms and the men as they 
lay on the ground. The snow cramped the 
baggage-cattle, and they were very reluctant to 
rise ; for, as they lay, the snow that had fallen 
upon them served to keep them warm, when it 
had not dropped off. 12. But when Xenophon 
was hardy enough to rise without his outer gar- 
ment, and to cleave wood, some one else then 
rose, and, taking the wood from him, cleft it 
himself. Soon after, the rest got up, and lighted 
fires and anointed themselves ; 13. for abundance 
of ointment was found there, made of hog's lard, 
sesamum, bitter almonds, and turpentine, which 
they used instead of oil. Of the same materials 
also an odoriferous unguent was found. 

14. After this it was resolved to quarter again 
throughout the villages, under shelter ; and the 
soldiers went off with great shouting and de- 
light to the cottages and provisions. Those who 
had set fire to the houses, when they quitted 
them before, paid the penalty of having to en- 
camp uncomfortably in the open air. 15. Hence 
they despatched in the night Democrates of 
Temenos, giving him a detachment of men, to 



158 THF EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

the hills where the stragglers said that they had 
seen the fires ; they selected him because he 
was thought on several former occasions to have 
brought exact information concerning such mat- 
ters, reporting what was, just as it appeared, and 
what was not, as not existing. 16. Having gone, 
lie said that he saw no fires, but he brought him 
a captive that he had taken, having a Persian 
bow and quiver, and a short battle-ax, such as 
the Amazons have. 17. Being asked of what 
country he was, he said that he was a Persian, 
and that he was going from the army of Tiri- 
bazus to get provisions. They then asked him 
how large the army was, and for what purpose 
it was assembled. 18. He said that Tiriba- 
zus had his own troops, and some mercenaries 
from the Chalybes and Taochians ; and that he 
was prepared to attack the Greeks in their pas- 
sage over the mountains, at a narrow defile 
through which lay their only road. 

19. The generals, on hearing this, resolved to 
collect the army, and, leaving a guard, with So- 
phsenetus the Stymphalian as commander over 
those who stayed behind, proceeded to march 
without delay, taking the man that had been 
captured for their guide. 20. After they had 
passed the mountains, the peltasts, who went 
before the rest, and were the first to discover the 
enemy's camp, did not wait for the heavy- armed 
men, but ran forward with a shout to attack it. 
21. The Barbarians, hearing the noise, did not 
stand their ground, but fled ; some of them 
however were killed, and about twenty horses 
taken, as was also the tent of Tiribazus, and in 



CH. 5.] GREEKS PASS THE EUPHRATES. 159 

it some couches with silver feet, and drinking- 
cups, and some prisoners, who said that they 
were bakers and cup-bearers. 22. When the 
officers of the heavy-armed troops heard what 
had taken place, they resolved upon marching 
back as fast as possible, to their own camp, lest 
any attempt should be made on those who had 
been left there. Calling in the men immedi- 
ately, therefore, by sound of trumpet, they re- 
turned to the camp the same day. 



CHAPTER V. 



The Greeks march through an uninhabited track of country, 
suffering greatly from cold winds, snow, aud want of pro- 
visions. At length tliey reach some well-stored villages, 
where they rest seven days. 

1. The next day it was thought necessary to 
march away as fast as possible, before the 
enemy's force should be reassembled, and get 
possession of the pass.. Collecting their baggage 
at once, therefore, they set forward through a 
deep snow, taking with them several guides ; 
and, having the same day passed the height on 
which Tiribazus had intended to attack them, 
they encamped. 2. Hence they proceeded three 
days' journey through a desert tract of country, 
a distance of fifteen parasangs, to the river 
Euphrates, and passed it without being wet 
higher than the middle. The sources of the 
river were said not to be far off. 3. From hence 
they advanced three days' march, through much 



160 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

snow and a level plain, a distance of fifteen 
parasangs ; the third days' march was extremely 
troublesome, as the north-wind blew full in their 
faces, completely parching up everything and 
benumbing the men. 4. One of the augurs, in 
consequence, advised that they should sacrifice 
to the wind ; and a sacrifice was accordingly 
offered ; when the vehemence of the wind ap- 
peared to every one manifestly to abate. The 
depth of the snow was a fathom ; so that many 
of the baggage-cattle and slaves perished, with 
about thirty of the soldiers. 5. They continued 
to burn fires through the whole night, for there 
was plenty of wood at the place of encamp- 
ment. But those who came up late could get 
no wood ; those therefore who had arrived be- 
fore, and had kindled fires, would not admit the 
late comers to the fire unless they gave them a 
share of the corn or other provisions that they 
had brought. 6. Thus they shared with each 
other what they respectively had. In the places 
where the fires were made, as the snow melted, 
there were formed large pits that reached down 
to the ground; and here there was accordingly 
opportunity to measure the depth of the snow. 

7. From hence they marched through snow 
the whole of the following day, and many of 
the men contracted the bulimia. Xenophon, 
who commanded in the rear, finding in his way 
such of the men as had fallen down with it, 
knew not what disease it was. 8. But as one of 
those acquainted with it, told him that they were 
evidently affected with bulimia, and that they 
would get up if they had something to eat, he 



CIT. 5.] SOLDIERS SUFFER FROM COLD. 161 

went round among the baggage, and, wherever 
he saw anything eatable, he gave it oat, and 
sent such as were able to run to distribute it 
among those diseased, who, as soon as they had 
eaten, rose up and continued their march. 9. 
As they proceeded, Cheirisophus came, just as 
it grew dark, to a village, and found, at a spring 
in front of the rampart, some women and girls 
belonging to the place fetching water. 10. The 
women asked them who they were ; and the in- 
terpreter answered, in the Persian language, 
that they were people going from the king to 
the satrap. They replied that he was not there, 
but about a parasang off. However, as it was 
late, they went with the water-carriers within 
the rampart, to the head man of the village ; 11. 
and here Cheirisophus, and as many of the 
troops as could come up, encamped ; but of the 
rest, such as were unable to get to the end of 
the journey spent the night on the way without 
food or fire ; and some of the soldiers lost their 
lives on that occasion. 12. Some of the enemy 
too, who had collected themselves into a body, 
pursued our rear, and seized any of the baggage- 
cattle that were unable to proceed, fighting with 
one another for the possession of them. Such of 
the soldiers, also, as had lost their sight from the 
effects of the snow, or had had their toes morti- 
fied by the cold, were left behind. 13. It was 
found to be a relief to the eves against the snow, 
if the soldiers kept something black before them 
on the march, and to the feet, if they kept con- 
stantly in motion, and allowed themselves no rest, 
and if they took off their shoes in the night; 



1G2 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

14. but to such as sleep with their shoes on, the 
straps worked into their feet, and the soles were 
frozen about them ; for when their old shoes had 
failed them, shoes of raw hides had been made 
by the men themselves from newly-skinned oxen. 

15. From such unavoidable sufferings, some of 
the soldiers were left behind, who seeing a piece 
of ground of a black appearance, from the snow 
having disappeared there, conjectured that it 
must have melted; and it had in fact melted in 
the spot from the effect of a fountain, which was 
sending up vapour in a woody hollow close at 
hand. Turning aside thither, they sat down 
and refused to proceed farther. 16. Xenophon, 
who was with the rear-guard, as soon as he heard 
this, tried to prevail on them by every art and 
means not to be left behind, telling them, at the 
same time, that the enemy were collected, and 
pursuing them in great numbers. At last he 
grew angry ; and they told him to kill them, as 
they were quite unable to go forward. 17. He 
then thought it the best course to strike a terror, 
if possible, into the enemy that were behind, lest 
they should fall upon the exhausted soldiers. 
It was now dark, and the enemy were advancing 
with a great noise, quarrelling about the booty 
that they had taken ; 18. when such of the 
rear-guard as were not disabled, started up, and 
rushed towards them, while the tired men, shout- 
ing as loud as they could, clashed their spears 
against their shields. The enemy, struck with 
alarm, threw themselves among the snow into'* 
the hollow, and no one of them afterwards made 
themselves heard from any quarter. 



CH. 5. J ARMY RESTS. 163 

19. Xenophon, and those with him, telling 
the sick men that a party should come to their 
relief next day, proceeded on their march, but 
before they had gone four stadia, they found 
other soldiers resting by the way in the snow, 
and covered up with it, no guard being stationed 
over them. They roused them up, but they said 
that the head of the army was not moving for- 
ward. 20. Xenophon, going past them, and 
sending on some of the ablest of the peltasts, 
ordered them to ascertain what it was that hin- 
dered their progress. They brought word that 
the whole army was in that manner taking 
rest. 

21. Xenophon and his men, therefore, station- 
ing such a guard as they could, took up their 
quarters there without fire or supper. When it 
was near day, he sent the youngest of his 
men to the sick, telling them to rouse them 
and oblige them to proceed. 22. At this junc- 
ture Cheirisophus sent some of his people from 
the villages to see how the rear were faring. 
The young men were rejoiced to see them, and 
gave them the sick to conduct to the camp, while 
they themselves went forward, and, before they 
had gone twenty stadia, found themselves at the 
village in which Cheirisophus was quartered. 
23. When they came together, it was thought 
safe enough to lodge the troops up and down in 
the villages. Cheirisophus accordingly remained 
where he was, and the other officers, appropriat- 
ing by lot the several villages that they had in 
sight, went to their respective quarters with 
their men. 



1G4 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

24. Here Poly crates, an Athenian captain, 
requested leave of absence, and, taking with 
him the most active of his men, and hasten- 
ing to the village which Xenophon had been 
allotted, surprised all the villagers, and their 
head man, in their houses, together with seven- 
teen colts that were bred as a tribute for the 
king, and the head man's daughter, who had 
been but nine days married ; her husband was 
gone out to hunt hares, and was not found in 
any of the villages. 25. Their houses were un- 
der ground, the entrance like the mouth of a 
well, but spacious below ; there were passages 
dug into them for the cattle, but the people de- 
scended by ladders. In the houses were goats, 
sheep, cows, and fowls, with their j^oung; all 
the cattle were kept on fodder within the walls. 

26. There was also wheat, barley, leguminous 
vegetables, and barley-wine, in large bowls ; the 
grains of barley floated in it even with the 
brims of the vessels, and reeds aL c o lay in it, 
some larger and some smaller, without joints ; 

27. and these, when any one was thirsty, he was 
to take in his mouth, and suck. The liquor was 
very strong, unless one mixed water with it, and 
a very pleasant drink to those accustomed to it. 

28. Xenophon made the chief man of his vil- 
lage sup with him, and told him to be of good 
courage, assuring him that he should not be de- 
prived of his children, and that they would not 
go away without filling his house with provis- 
ions in return for what they took, if he would 
but prove himself the author of some service to 
the army till they should reach another tribe. 



CII. 5.] ARMENIANS FEASTING. 165 

29. This he promised, and, to show his good will, 
pointed out where some wine was buried. This 
night, therefore, the soldiers rested in their sev- 
eral quarters in the midst of great abundance, 
setting a guard over the chief, and keeping his 
children at the same time under their eye. 

30. The following day Xenophon took the head 
man and went with him to Cheirisophus, and 
wherever he passed by a village, he turned aside 
to visit those who were quartered in it, and found 
them in all parts feasting and enjoying them- 
selves ; nor would they anywhere let them go 
till they had set refreshments before them ; 

31. and they placed everywhere upon the same 
table lamb, kid, pork, veal, and fowl, with plenty 
of bread both of wheat and barley. 32. When- 
ever any person, to pay a compliment, wished 
to drink to another, he took him to the large 
bowl, where he had to stoop down and drink, 
sucking like an ox. The chief they allowed 
to take whatever he pleased, but he accepted 
nothing from them ; where he found any of his 
relatives, however, he took them with him. 

33. When they came to Cheirisophus, they 
found his men also feasting in their quarters, 
crowned with wreaths made of hay, and Arme- 
nian boys, in their Barbarian dresses, waiting 
upon them, to whom they made signs what they 
were to do as if they had been deaf and dumb. 
34. When Cheirisophus and Xenophon had sa- 
luted one another, they both asked the chief 
man, through the interpreter who spoke the 
Persian language, what country it was. He re- 
plied that it was Armenia. They then asked 



166 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

him for whom the horses were bred ; and he said 
that they were a tribute for the king, and added 
that the neighbouring country was that of the 
Chalybes, and told them in what direction the 
road lay. 35. Xenophon then went away, con- 
ducting the chief back to his family, giviug him 
the horse that he had taken, which was rather 
old, to fatten and offer in sacrifice, (for he had 
heard that it had been consecrated to the sun,) 
being afraid, indeed, that it might die, as it had 
been injured by the journey. He then took some 
of the young horses, and gave one of them to each 
of the other generals and captains. 36. The 
horses in this country were smaller than those 
of Persia, but far more spirited. The chief in- 
structed the men to tie little bags round the feet 
of the horses, and other cattle, when they drove 
them through the snow, for without such bags 
they sunk up to their bellies. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Greeks leave the villages under conduct of a guide, who, 
on being struck by Cheirisophns, deserts them. After wan- 
dering through the country for seven days, they arrive at 
the Phasis, and in two days more at some mountains occu- 
pied by the Phasiani, Taochi, and Chalybes, whom, by skil- 
ful manoeuvring, they dislodge. 

l. When the eighth day was come, Xenophon 
committed the guide to Cheirisophus. He left 
the chief all the members of his family, except 
his son, a youth just coming to mature age ; him 
he gave in charge to Episthenes of Amphipolis, in 



CH. 6 J GUIDE DESERTS. 167 

order that if the father should conduct them prop- 
erly, he might return home with him. At the 
same time they carried to his house as many pro- 
visions as they could, and then broke up their 
camp, and resumed their march. 2. The chief 
conducted them through the snow, walking at lib- 
erty. When he came to the end of the third day's 
march, Cheirisophus was angry at him for not 
guiding them to some villages. He said that 
there were none in that part of the country. 
Cheirisophus then struck him, but did not con- 
line him ; 3. and in consequence he ran off in 
the night, leaving his son behind him. This 
affair, the ill-treatment and neglect of the guide, 
was the only cause of dissension between Chei- 
risophus and Xenophon during the march. 
Episthenes conceived an affection for the youth, 
and, taking him home, found him extremely at- 
tached to him. 

4. After this occurrence they proceeded seven 
day's journey, five parasangs each day, till they 
came to the river Phasis, the breadth of which 
is a plethrum. 5. Hence they advanced two 
day's journey, ten parasangs ; when, on the pass 
that led over the mountains into the plain, the 
Chalybes, Taochi, and Phasians were drawn up 
to oppose their progress. 6. Cheirisophus, see- 
ing these enemies in possession of the height, 
came to a halt, at the distance of about thirty 
stadia, that he might not approach them while 
leading the army in a column. He accordingly 
ordered the other officers to bring up their com- 
panies, that the whole force might be formed in 
line. 



168 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

7. When the rear-guard was come up, he 
called together the generals and captains, and 
spoke to them as follows : " The enemy, as you 
see, are in possession of the pass over the moun- 
tains ; and it is proper for us to consider how 
we may encounter them to the best advantage. 
8. It is my opinion, therefore, that we should 
direct the troops to get their dinner, and that 
we ourselves should hold a council, in the mean 
time, whether it is advisable to cross the moun- 
tain to-day or to-morrow." 9. "It seems best to 
me," exclaimed Cleanor, " to march at once, as 
soon as we have dined and resumed our arms, 
against the enemy; for if we waste the present 
day in inaction, the eenmy who are now looking 
down upon us will grow bolder, and it is likely 
that, as their confidence is increased, others will 
join them in greater numbers." 

10. After him Xenophon said, " I am of opin- 
ion, that if it is necessary to fight, we ought to 
make our arrangements so as to fight with the 
greatest advantage ; but that, if we propose to 
pass the mountains as easily as possible, we 
ought to consider how we may incur the fewest 
wounds and lose the fewest men. 11. The range 
of hills, as far as we see, extend more than 
sixty stadia in length ; but the people nowhere 
seem to be watching us except along the line of 
road ; and it is therefore better, I think, to en- 
deavor to try to seize unobserved some part of 
the unguarded range, and to get possession of it, 
if we can, beforehand, than to attack a strong 
post and men prepared to resist us. 12. For it 
is far less difficult to march up a steep ascent 



CH. 6.] xenophon's advice. 169 

without fighting than along a level road with ene- 
mies on each side ; and, in the night, if men are 
not obliged to fight, they can see better what is 
before them than by day if engaged with ene- 
mies ; while a rough road is easier to the feet to 
those who are marching without molestation 
than a smooth one to those who are pelted on the 
head with missiles. 13. Nor do I think it at all 
impracticable for us to steal away for ourselves, 
as we can march by night, so as not to be seen, 
and can keep at such a distance from the enemy 
as to allow no possibility of being heard. We 
seem likely, too, in my opinion, if we make a 
pretended attack on this point, to find the rest 
of the range still less guarded ; for the enemy 
will so much the more probably stay where they 
are. 14. But why should I speak doubtfully 
about stealing? For I hear that you Lacedae- 
monians, O Cheirisophus, such of you at least as 
are of the better class, practise stealing from 
your boyhood, and it is not a disgrace, but an 
honour, to steal whatever the law does not for- 
bid ; 15. while, in order that you may steal with 
the utmost dexterity, and strive to escape discov- 
ery, it is appointed by law that, if you are 
caught stealing, you are scourged. It is now 
high time for you, therefore, to give proof of 
your education, and to take care that we may 
not receive many stripes." 16. "But I hear 
that you Athenians also," rejoined Cherisophus, 
"are very clever at stealing the public money, 
though great danger threatens him that steals 
it ; and that your best men steal it most, if in- 
deed your best men are thought worthy to be 



170 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

your magistrates ; so that it is time for you like- 
wise to give proof of your education." 17. " I 
am then ready," exclaimed Xenophon, " to march 
with the rear guard, as soon as we have supped, 
to take possession of the hills. I have guides 
too ; for our light-armed men captured some of 
the marauders following us by lying in ambush ; 
and from them I learn that the mountains are 
not impassable, but are grazed over by goats 
and oxen, so that if we once gain possession of 
any part of the range, there will be tracks also 
for our baggage-cattle. 18. I expect also that 
the enemy will no longer keep their ground 
when they see us upon a level with them on 
the heights, for they will not now come down 
to be upon a level with us." 19. Cheirisophus 
then said, " But why should we go, and leave the 
charge of the rear ? Rather send others, unless 
some volunteers present themselves." 20. Upon 
this Aristonymus of Methydria came forward 
with his heavy-armed men, and Aristeas of Chihos 
and Nicomachus of (Eta with their light-armed ; 
and they made an arrangement, that as soon as 
they should reach the top, they should light a 
number of fires. 21. Having settled these points, 
they went to dinner; and after dinner Cheiriso- 
phus led forward the whole army ten stadia to- 
wards the enemy, that he might appear to be fully 
resolved to march against them on that quarter. 

22. When they had taken their supper, and 
night came on, those appointed for the service 
went forward and got possession of the hills; 
the other troops rested where they were. The 
enemy, when they saw the heights occupied, 



CH. 6.J GREEKS GAIN THE PASS. 171 

kept watch and burned a number of fires all 
night. 23. As soon as it was day, Cheirisophus, 
after having offered sacrifice, marched forward 
along the road ; while those who had gained the 
heights advanced by the ridge. 24. Most of the 
enemy, meanwhile, stayed at the pass, but a 
part went to meet the troops coming along the 
heights. But before the main bodies came to- 
gether, those on the ridge closed with one 
another, and the Greeks had the advantage, and 
put the enemy to flight. 25. At the same time 
the Grecian peltasts ran up from the plain to 
attack the enemy drawn up to receive them, and 
Cheirisophus followed at a quick pace with the 
heavy-armed men. 26. The enemy at the pass, 
however, when they saw those above defeated, 
took to flight. Not many of them were killed, 
but a great number of shields were taken, which 
the Greeks, by hacking them with their swords, 
rendered useless. 27. As soon as they had 
gained the ascent, and had sacrificed and erected . 
a trophy, they went down into the plain before 
them, and arrived at a number of villages stored 
with abundance of excellent provisions. 



172 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 



CHAPTER VII. 

The Greeks, entering the country of the Taoehi, storm a fort, 
capturing a great number of cattle, on which they subsist 
while traversing the region of the Chalybes. They cross 
the Harpasus, and, marching through the territory of the 
Scythini, arrive at a toivn called Gymnias, whence they are 
conducted to Mount Theches, from the top of which they 
see the Euxine. 

l. Fro31 hence they marched five days' jour- 
ney, thirty parasangs, to the country of the 
Taoehi, where provisions began to fail them ; for 
the Taoehi, inhabited strong fastnesses, in which 
they had laid up all their supplies. 2. Having 
at length, however, arrived at one place which 
had no city or houses attached to it, but in which 
men and women and a great number of cattle 
were assembled, Cheirisophus, as soon as he came 
before it, made it the object of an attack ; 
and when the first division that assailed it began 
to be tired, another succeeded, and then an- 
other ; for it was not possible for them to surround 
it in a body, as there was a river about it. 3. 
When Xenephon came up with his rear-guard, 
peltasts, and heavy-armed men, Cheirisophus ex- 
claimed, " You come seasonably, for we must 
take this place, as there are no provisions for the 
army, unless we take it." 

4. They then deliberated together, and Xeno- 
phon asking what hindered them from taking 
the place, Cheirisophus replied, " The only ap- 
proach to it is the one which you see ; but when 
any of our men attempt to pass along it, the en- 
emy roll down stones over yonder impending 



CH. 7.] STRATAGEM OF CALLIMACHUS. 173 

rock, and whoever is struck, is treated as you 
behold;" and he pointed, at the same moment, 
to some of the men who had had their legs and 
ribs broken. 5. " But if they expend all their 
stones," rejoined Xenophon, " is there anything 
else to prevent us from advancing ? For we see, 
in front of us, only a few men, and but two or 
three of them armed. 6. The space, too, through 
which we have to pass under exposure to the 
stones, is, as you see, only about a hundred and 
fifty feet in length ; and of this about a hundred 
feet is covered with large pine trees in groups, 
against which if the men place themselves, what 
would they suffer either from the flying stones 
or the rolling ones ? The remaining part of the 
space is not above fifty feet, over which, when 
the stones cease, we must pass at a running 
pace." 7. " But," said Cheirisophus, " the in- 
stant we offer to go to the part covered with 
trees, the stones fly in great numbers." "That," 
cried Xenophon, u would be the very thing we 
want, for thus they will exhaust their stones the 
sooner. Let us then advance, if we can, to the 
point whence we shall have but a short way to 
run, and from which we may, if we please, easily 



retreat." 



8. Cheirisophus and Xenophon, with Callima- 
chus of Parrhasia, one of the captains, who had 
that day the lead of all the other captains of the 
rear-guard, then went forward, all the rest of 
the captains remaining out of danger. Next, 
about seventy of the men advanced under the 
trees, not in a body, but one by one, each shelter- 
ing himself as he could, o. Agasias of Stympha- 



174 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

lus, and Aristonymus of Methydria, who were 
also captains of the rear-guard, with some others, 
were at the same time standing behind, without 
the trees, for it was not safe for more than one 
company to stand under them. 10. Callimachus 
then adopted the following stratagem : he ran 
forward two or three paces from the tree under 
which he was sheltered, and when the stones be- 
gan to be hurled, hastily drew back ; and at 
each of his sallies more than ten cart-loads of 
stones were spent. 11. Agasias, observing what 
Callimachus was doing, and that the eyes of 
the whole army were upon him, and fearing that 
he himself might not be the first to enter the 
place, began to advance alone, (neither calling to 
Aristonymus who was next him, nor to Eury- 
lochus of Lusia, both of whom were his intimate 
friends, nor to any other person,) and passed by 
all the rest. 12. Callimachus, seeing him rush- 
ing by, caught hold of the rim of his shield, and 
at that moment Aristonymus of Methydria ran 
past them both, and after him Eurylochus of 
Lusia, for all these sought distinction for valour, 
and were rivals to one another ; and thus, in 
mutual emulation, they got possession of the place, 
for when they had once rushed in, not a stone was 
hurled from above. 13. But a dreadful spectacle 
was then to be seen ; for the women, flinging their 
children over the precipice, threw themselves 
after them ; and the men followed their example. 
.ZEneas of Stymphalus, a captain, seeing one of 
them, who had on a rich garment, running to throw 
himself over, caught hold of it with intent to stop 
him. 14. But the man dragged him forward, and 



CH. 7.] COUNTRY OF THE CHALYB^ 

they both went rolling down the rocks together, 
and were killed. Thus very few prisoners were 
taken, but a great number of oxen, asses, and 
sheep. 

15. Hence they advanced, seven days' journey, 
a distance of fifty parasangs, through the country 
of the Cbalybes. These were the most warlike 
people of all that they passed through, and came 
to close combat with them. They had linen 
cuirasses, reaching down to the groin, and, in- 
stead of skirts, thick cords twisted. 16. They 
had also greaves and helmets, and at their girdles 
a short faulchion, as large as a Spartan crooked 
dagger, with which they cut the throats of all 
whom they could master, and then, cutting oif 
their heads, carried them away with them. They 
sang and danced when the enemy were likely to 
see them. They carried also a spear of about 
fifteen cubits in length, having one spike. 17. 
They stayed in their villages til the Greeks 
had passed by, when they pursued and perpetually 
harassed them. They had their dwellings in 
strong places, in which they had also laid up their 
provisions, so that the Greeks could get nothing 
from that country, but lived upon the cattle which 
they taken from the Taochi. 

18. The Greeks next arrived at the river 
Harpasus, the breadth of which was four plethra. 
Hence they proceeded through the territory 
of the Scythini, four days' journey, making 
twenty parasangs, over a level tract, until they 
came to some villages, in which they halted 
three days, and collected provisions. 19. From 
this place they advanced four days' journey, 



THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

twenty parasangs, to a large, rich, and populous 
city, called Gyrnnias, from which the governor 
of the country sent the Greeks a guide, to con- 
duct them through a region at war with his own 
people. 20. The guide, when he came, said that 
he would take them in five days to a place 
whence they should see the sea ; if not, he would 
consent to be put to death. When, as he pro- 
ceeded, he entered the country of their enemies, 
he exhorted them to burn and lay waste the 
lands ; whence it was evident that he had cobo 
for this very purpose, and not from any 
will to the Greeks. 21. On the fifth day th 
came to the mountain ; and the name of it wr 
Theches. When the men who were in th 
had mounted the height, and looked down u r O!] 
the sea, a great shout proceeded from ti. 
22. and Xenophon and the rear-guard, on hear- 
ing it, thought that some new enemies \ 
sailing the front, for in the rear, too, the people 
from the country that they had burnt w 
lowing them, and the rear- guard, by placing an 
ambuscade, had killed some, and taken others 
prisoners, and had captured about twenty shields 
made of raw ox-hides with the hair on. 23. But 
as the noise still increased, and drew nearer, and 
as those who came up from time to time kept 
running at full speed to join those who were con- 
tinually shouting, the cries becoming louder as 
the men became more numerous, it appeared to 
Xenophon that it must be something of very 
great moment. 24. Mounting his horse, there- 
fore, and taking with him Lycius and the cav- 
alry, he hastened forward to give aid, when prgs- 



CH. 8.] GREEKS REACH THE SEA. 177 

ently they heard the soldiers shouting, "The 
sea, the sea ! " and cheering on one another. They 
then all began to run, the rear-guard as well as 
the rest, and the baowaoje- cattle and horses were 
put to their speed ; 25. and when they had all 
arrived at the top, the men embraced one another, 
and their generals and captains, with tears in 
their eyes. Suddenly, whoever it was that sug- 
gested it, the soldiers brought stones, and raised a 
large mound, 26. on which they laid a number 
of raw ox-hides, staves, and shields taken from the 
enemy. The shields the guide himself hacked in 
pieces, and exhorted the rest to do the same. 27. 
Soon after, the Greeks sent away the guide, giv- 
ing him presents from the common stock, a horse, 
a silver cup, a Persian robe, and ten darics; but 
he showed most desire for the rin^s on their fin- 
gers, and obtained many of them from the soldiers. 
Having then pointed out to them a village where 
they might take up their quarters, and the road 
by which they were to proceed to the Macrones, 
when the evening came on he departed, pursuing 
his way during the night. 






CHAPTER VIII. 



The Greeks proceed unmolested through the country of the 
Macrones, and enter Colchis. Putting to flight the Colchi- 
ans who obstructed their passage, they arrive at Trebisond, 
a Greek city, where they perform whatever vows they had 
made, and celebrate games. 

l. Hence the Greeks advanced three days' 
jcarney, a distance of ten parasangs, through 



178 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

the country of the Macron es. On the first day 
they came to a river which divides the territo- 
ries of the Macrones from those of the Scythini. 
2. On their right thev had an eminence ex- 
tremely difficult of access, and on their left 
another river, into which the boundary river, 
which they had to cross, empties itself. This 
stream was thickly edged with trees, not indeed 
large, but growing closely together. These the 
Greeks, as soon as they came to the spot, cut 
down, being in haste to get out of the country 
as soon as possible. 3. The Macrones, however, 
equipped with wicker shields, and spears, and 
hair tunics, were drawn up on the opposite side 
of the crossing place ; they were animating one 
another, and throwing stones into the river. 
They did not hit our men, or cause them any in- 
convenience. 

4. At this juncture one of the peltasts came 
up to Xenophon, saying that he had been a slave 
at Athens, and adding that he knew the lan- 
guage of these men. " I think, indeed," said he, 
"that this is my country, and, if there is nothing 
to prevent, I should wish to speak to the people." 

5. "There is nothing to prevent," replied Xeno- 
phon ; " so speak to them, and first ascertain 
what people they are." Whea he asked them, 
they said that they were the Macrones. " Inquire, 
then," said Xenophon, " why they are drawn up 
to oppose us, and wish to be our enemies." 

6. They replied, u Because you come against our 
country." The generals then told him to ac- 
quaint them that we were not come with any 
wish to do them injury, but that we were return- 



CH. 8.] COLCHIANS HOSTILE. 179 

ing to Greece after having been engaged in war 
with the king, and that we were desirous to 
reach the sea. 7. They asked if the Greeks 
would give pledges to this effect ; and the Greeks 
replied that they were willing both to give and 
receive them. The Macrones accordingly pre- 
sented the Greeks with a Barbarian lance, and 
the Greeks gave them a Grecian one ; for they 
said that such were their usual pledges. Both 
parties called the gods to witness. 

8. After these mutual assurances, the Macro- 
nes immediately assisted them in cutting away 
the trees, and made a passage for them, as if to 
bring them over, mingling freely among the 
Greeks ; they also gave such facilities as they 
could for buying provisions, and conducted them 
through their country for three days, until they 
brought them to the confines of the Colchians. 
9. Here was a range of hills, high, but accessible, 
and upon them the Colchians were drawn up in 
array. The Greeks, at first, drew up against 
them in a line, with the intention of marching 
up the hill in this disposition; but afterwards the 
generals thought proper to assemble and delib- 
erate how they might engage with the best ef- 
fect. 10. Xenophon then said it appeared to 
him that they ought to relinquish the arrange- 
ment in line, and to dispose the troops in col- 
umns ; " for a line," pursued he, " will be broken 
at once, as we shall find the hills in some parts 
impassable, though in others easy of access ; 
and this disruption will immediately produce 
despondency in the men, when, after being 
ranged in a regular line, they find it dispersed. 



180 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

11. Again, if. we advance drawn up very many 
deep, the enemy will stretch beyond us on both 
sides, and will employ the parts that outreach 
us in any way they may think proper ; and if we 
advance only a few deep, it would not be at all 
surprising if our line be broken through by 
showers of missiles and men falling upon us in 
large bodies. If this happen in any part, it 
will be ill for the whole extent of the Hue. 

12. I think, then, that having formed our com- 
panies in columns, we should keep them so far 
apart from each other as that the last companies 
on each side may be beyond the enemy's wings. 
Thus our extreme companies will both outflank 
the line of the enemy, and, as we march in file, 
the bravest of our men will close with the enemy 
first, and wherever the ascent is easiest, there 
each division will direct its course. 13. Nor will 
it be easy for the enemy to penetrate into the 
intervening spaces, when there are companies 
on each side, nor will it be easy to break through 
a column as it advances ; while, if any one of 
the companies be hard pressed, the neighbouring 
one will support it ; and if but one of the com- 
panies can by any path attain the summit, the 
enemy will no longer stand their ground." 
14. This plan was approved, and they threw the 
companies into columns. Xenophon, riding along 
from the right wing to the left, said, " Soldiers, 
the enemy whom you see before you, are now 
the only obstacle to hinder us from being where 
we have long been eager to be. These, if we 
can, we must eat up alive." 

15. When the men were all in their places, 



CH. 8.] POISONED HONEY. 181 

and they had formed the companies into columns, 
there were about eighty companies of heavy- 
armed men, and each company consisted of about 
eighty men. The peltasts and archers they di- 
vided into three bodies, each about six hundred 
men, one of which they placed beyond the left 
wing, another beyond the right, and the third 
in the centre. 16. The generals then desired the 
soldiers to make their vows to the gods ; and 
having made them, and suug the paean they moved 
forward. Cheirisophus and Xenophon, and the 
peltasts that they had with them, who were be- 
yond the enemy's flanks, pushed on ; 17. and the 
enemy, observing their motions, and hurrying 
forward to receive them, were drawn off, some 
to the right and others to the left, and left a great 
void in the centre of their line ; 18. when the 
peltasts in the Arcadian division, whom ^Esch- 
ines the Acarnanian commanded, seeing them 
separate, ran forward in all haste, thinking that 
they were taking to flight ; and these were the 
first that reached the summit. The Arcadian 
heavy-armed troop, of which Cleanor the Orcho- 
menian was captain, followed them. 19. But the 
enemy, when once the Greeks began to run, no 
longer stood their ground, but went off in flight, 
some one way and some another. 

Having passed the summit, the Greeks en- 
camped in a number of villages containing abun- 
dence of provisions. 20. As to other things here, 
there was nothing at which they were surprised ; 
but the number of bee-hives was extraordinary, 
and all the soldiers that ate of the combs, lost 
their senses, vomited, and were affected with 



182 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. IV. 

purging, and none of them were able to stand up- 
right ; such as had eaten only a little were like 
men greatly intoxicated, and such as had eaten 
much were like mad-men, and some like persons 
at the point of death. 21. They lay upon the 
ground, in consequence, in great numbers, as if 
there had been a defeat ; and there was general 
dejection. The next day no one of them was 
found dead; and they recovered their senses 
about the same hour that they had lost them on 
the preceding day ; and on the third and fourth 
days they got up as if after having taken physic. 
22. From hence they proceeded two days' 
march, seven parasangs, and arrived at Trebisond, 
a Greek city, of large population, on the Euxine 
sea ; a colony of Sinope, but lying in the territory 
of the Colchians. Here they stayed about thirty 
days, encamping in the villages of the Colchians, 

23. whence they made excursions and plundered 
the country of Colchis. The people of Trebi- 
sond provided a market for the Greeks in the 
camp, and entertained them in the city ; and made 
them presents of oxen, barley-meal, and wine. 

24. They negotiated with them also on behalf of 
the neighbouring Colchians, those especially who 
dwelt in the plain, and from them too were 
brought presents of oxen. 

25. Soon after, they prepared to perform the 
sacrifice which they had vowed. Oxen enough 
had been brought them to offer to Jupiter the 
Preserver, and to Hercules, for their safe conduct, 
and whatever they had vowed to the other gods. 
They also celebrated gymnastic games upon the 
hills where they were encamped, and chose Dra- 



CH. 8.] GYMNASTIC GAMES. 183 

contius a Spartan, (who had become an exile 
from his country when quite a boy, for having 
involuntarily killed a child by striking him with 
a dagger,) to prepare the course and preside at 
the contests. 26. When the sacrifice was ended, 
they gave the hides to Dracontius, and desired 
him to conduct them to the place where he had 
made the course. Dracontius, pointing to the 
place where they were standing, said, u This hill 
is an exellent place for running, in whatever 
direction the men may wish." u But how will 
they be able," said they, " to wrestle on ground 
so rough and bushy? " " He that falls," said he, 
" will suffer the more." 27. Boys, most of them 
from among the prisoners, contended in the short 
course, and in the long course above sixty Cre- 
tans ran ; while others were matched in wrestling, 
boxing, and the pancratium. It was a fine sight ; 
for many entered the lists, and as their friends 
were spectators, there was great emulation. 
28. Horses also ran ; and they had to gallop down 
the steep, and, turning round in the sea, to come 
up again to the altar. In the descent, many 
rolled down ; but in the ascent, against the ex- 
ceedingly steep ground, the horses could scarcely 
get up at a walking pace. There was consequently 
great shouting, and laughter, and cheering from 
the people. 



184 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

BOOK V. 
CHAPTER I. 

Cheirisoplms goes to Anaxibius, the Spartan Admiral, to ob- 
tain ships for the Greeks. Xenophon, meanwhile, attends 
to other matters, and devises another plan for procuring ves- 
sels, if Cheirisoplms should fail in his mission, and causing 
the roads to be repaired, in case the army should be obliged 
to proceed by land. Treachery of Dexippus, and efficient 
exertions of Polycrates. 

1. What the Greeks did in their march up the 
country with Cyrus, and what they underwent 
in their journey to the Euxine Sea ; how they 
arrived at the Greek city of Trebisond, and how 
they offered the sacrifices which they had vowed 
to offer for their safety as scon as they should 
reach a friendly country, has been related in the 
preceding part of this narrative. 

2. They now assembled to hold a council con- 
cerning the remainder of their journey ; and An- 
tileon, a native of Thurii, stood up first, and spoke 
thus : " For my part, my friends, I am now quite 
exhausted with packing up my baggage, walking, 
running, carrying my arms, marching in order, 
mounting guard, and fighting, and should wish, 
since we have come to the sea, to rest from such 
toils, and to sail the remainder of the way ; and 
to arrive at Greece, like Ulysses, stretched out 
asleep." 3. The soldiers, on hearing these remarks, 
cried out that he spoke well ; and then another, 
and afterwards all the rest, expressed the same 
feelings. Cheirisoplms then rose, and spoke as 




ADVICi? FROM XENOPHON. 185 



follows : 4. "Anaxibius is a friend ul vc\\rie, arid 
is now admiral. If, therefore, you will comnuxo 
sion me to go to him, I have no doubt that I shall 
return with galleys and transport- vessels to carry 
you. And as you wish to sail, stay here till I 
come back ; for I shall come very soon." When 
the soldiers heard this offer, they were delighted, 
and voted that he should set sail with all speed. 

5. After him Xenophon stood up, and spoke to 
the following effect : " Cheirisophus is going to 
fetch ships, and we shall remain here ; and I will 
now mention what I think it proper for us to 
do during our stay. 6. In the first place, we 
must get provisions from the enemy's country; 
for the market here is not abundant enough to 
supply us, nor have we, except some few, a suffi- 
ciency of means with which to purchase. But the 
country around us is inhabited by enemies ; and 
there is danger, therefore, that many of you may 
be killed, if you go out in quest of provisions heed- 
lessly and unguardedly. 7. It seems to me, then, 
that we ought to seek provisions in foraging- 
parties, and not to wander about at random ; so 
that you may preserve your lives ; and that we, 
the officers, should have the regulation of these 
proceedings." These suggestions were approved. 
8. "Attend also," he said, " to the following hints. 
Some of you will go out for plunder. I think it 
will be better, then, for any one that intends to 
go out, to give us notice, and say in what direc- 
tion, that we may know the number of those who 
go and of those who stay at home, and may take 
part in their projects if it should be necessary ; 
and that, if it should be requisite to send succour 




186 THE EXPEDITION ^>f CYRUS. [b. V. 

to any party, we may know whither to send it ; 
vO.i'ie if any of the less experienced make an at- 
tempt in any quarter, we may aid his views by try- 
ing to learn the strength of the enemy against 
whom he is going." To this proposal assent was 
likewise given. 9. " Consider this too/* added 
he ; " the enemy have leisure to rob us ; they med- 
itate attacks upon us, and with justice, for we are 
in possession of their property. They are also 
posted above us ; and it appears to me, therefore, 
that sentinels should be placed round the camp, 
so that, if, being divided into parties, we keep 
guard and watch by turns, the enemy will be less 
in a condition to catch us by surprise. 10. Take 
this also into consideration. If we knew for cer- 
tain that Cheirisophus would come with a suffi- 
cient number of ships to transport us, there would 
be no occasion for what I am going to say ; but, 
since this is uncertain, I think that we ought, in 
the mean time, to endeavour to provide ourselves 
with ships from hence ; for, if he comes with ships, 
and vessels are ready here, we shall sail in a 
greater number of ships ; and, if he brings none, 
we shall make use of what we have procured here. 
11. I observe vessels frequently sailing past; and 
if therefore we should ask the people of Trebisond 
for ships of war, and bring them in to the shore 
and keep them under guard, unshipping their rud- 
ders till a sufficient number be collected to carry 
us, we shall possibly not fail of securing such con- 
veyance as we require." This suggestion was also 
approved. 12. " Reflect also," said he, "whether 
it will not be proper to support the mariners whom 
we bring into harbour from the common stock, as 



CH. 1.] SHIPS COLLECTED. 187 

long as they may stay on our account, and to make 
an agreement with them about the passage-money, 
that by benefiting us they may also be benefited 
themselves." To this they also agreed. 13. " It 
appears to me further," he continued, " that if 
our efforts are not successful to procure vessels 
in sufficient number, we should enjoin the towns 
lying on the sea to repair the roads, which, we 
hear, are scarcely passable ; for they will obey 
such an injunction both from fear and from a wish 
to be rid of us." 14. At this point of his speech 
they cried out that there must be no travelling by 
land. 

Xenophon, seeing their want of consideration, 
did not put that particular to the vote. But he 
afterwards prevailed on the towns to mend the 
roads of their own accord, telling them that if the 
roads were made passable, they would so much 
the sooner be delivered from the Greeks. 15. They 
received also a fifty-oared g alley from the people 
of Trebisond, over which they placed Dexippus, 
a Spartan, one of the perioeci ; who, neglecting to 
get vessels together, went off with the galley clear 
out of the Euxine. He however met with a just 
retribution some time after ; for being in Thrace, 
at the court of Seuthes, and engaging in some in- 
trigue, he was killed by Nicander a Lacedaemon- 
ian, ig. They received too a thirty-oared galley, 
over which Polycrates an Athenian was appoint- 
ed, who brought all the vessels that he could get to 
the shore before the camp ; and the Greeks, taking 
out their cargoes, if they had any, set guards over 
them, that they might be secure, and reserved the 
vessels for their passage. 



188 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [~B. V. 

17. While these affairs were going on, the sol- 
diers were making excursions for plunder ; and 
some succeeded and others not ; but Cleasnetus, 
as he was leading out his own troop and another 
against some strong place, was killed, as well as 
several of those that were with him. 



CHAPTER II. 



To augment their stock of provisions, Xenophon undertakes 
a foraging expedition against the Drilse, who lay waste their 
fields, and shut themselves up in their chief fort, which the 
Greeks take and burn to the ground. 

l. When it was no longer possible for the for- 
agers to get provisions, so as to return the same 
day to the camp, Xenophon, taking some of the 
people of Trebisond as guides, led out half the 
army against the Drilas, leaving the other half to 
guard the camp ; for the Colchians, having been 
driven from their homes, were collected in large 
numbers, and had posted themselves on the 
heights. 2. The guides from Trebisond, however, 
did not conduct them to places whence it was easy 
to get provisions, for the inhabitants of those parts 
were their friends, but led them with great eager- 
ness into the territories of the Drilae, from whom 
they had received injuries, into mountainous and 
difficult tracts, and against the most warlike of all 
the people on the shores of the Pontus Euxinus. 

3. When the Greeks had got up into their coun- 
try, the Drilas retreated, having first set fire to 
such of their places as seemed easy to be taken ; 
and there was nothing for the Greeks to capture 



CH. 2.] BATTLE WITH THE DRIL.E 189 

but swine, or oxen, or any other cattle that had 
escaped the fire. But there was one place that 
constituted their metropolis ; and to this they had 
all flocked. Around it there was an extremely 
deep ravine, and the ways of access to the place 
were difficult. 4. However the peltasts, having 
outstripped the heavy-armed men by five or six 
stadia, crossed the ravine, and getting sight of a 
great deal of cattle and other booty, made an at- 
tack upon the place ; and many spear-men, who 
had gone out for plunder, followed close upon 
them ; so that the number of those who crossed 
the ravine amounted to more than two thousand. 
5. As they found themselves unable to take the 
place by assault, (for there was a broad trench 
round it, the earth from which had been thrown 
up as a rampart, and upon the rampart were pal- 
isades, and a number of wooden towers erected,) 
they attempted to retire, but the enemy pressed 
hard upon them ; G. and as they could not effect 
a retreat, ( for the descent from the place to the 
ravine would allow only one to pass at a time,) 
they sent for aid to Xenophon, who was at the 
head of the heavy-armed men. 7. The messenger 
said, that the place was stored with abundance 
of things ; "but," said he, " we are unable to take 
it, for it is strong ; nor is it easy for us to retreat, 
for the enemy sally forth and assail our rear, and 
the way from it is difficult." 

8. Xenophon, on hearing this account, brought 
up the heavy-armed to the ravine, and ordered 
them to halt there under arms, while he himself, 
crossing over with the captains, deliberated 
whether it would be better to brinsr off those that 



190 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

had already gone over, or to lead over the heavy- 
armed also, in the hope that the place might be 
taken ; 9. for it seemed impossible to bring off the 
first party without the loss of many lives, and the 
captains were of opinion that they might take 
the place. Xenophon accordingly yielded to their 
judgment, placing some reliance, at the same time, 
on the sacrifices ; for the augurs had signified that 
there would be an action, and that the result of 
the excursion would be favorable. 10. He there- 
fore despatched the captains to bring over the 
heavy-armed men, while he himself remained 
where he was, keeping back the peltasts, and al- 
lowing none of them to skirmish with the enemy. 

11. When the heavy-armed troops came up, he 
ordered each of the captains to form his company 
in such a manner as he might think most advan- 
tageous for fighting; for those captains, who were 
perpetually contending with one another in gal- 
lantry, were now standing close to each other. 

12. They executed his orders ; and he then directed 
all the peltasts to advance holding their javelins 
by the thong, as it would be necessary to hurl 
whenever he should give the signal, and the arch- 
ers having their arrows resting on the string, as, 
whenever he gave the signal, they would have to 
shoot ; he ordered the skirmishers also to have 
their bags full of stones, and commissioned proper 
persons to see these orders executed. 13. When 
everything was ready, and the captains and lieu- 
tenants, and all those who thought themselves not 
inferior to these, were in their places, and had a 
full view of each other, (for the disposition of the 
troops, from the nature of the ground, was in the 






CH. 2.] GREEKS ATTACK THE DRIL^E. 191 

form of a crescent,) the heavy-armed men, 14. 
after they had sung the paean and the trumpet had 
sounded, raised the war-cry to Mars, and ran for- 
ward, while the missiles, consisting of lances, ar- 
rows, balls from slings, and numbers of stones 
flung from the hand, were hurled among the en- 
emy ; and some of the men, too, threw fire-brands 
at the place. 15. By reason, therefore, of the 
multitude of these missives, the enemy abandoned 
both the palisades and the towers ; so that Agas- 
ias of Stymphalus and Philoxenus of Pellene, lay- 
iug aside their armour, mounted the ramparts in 
their tunics only ; and then one drew up another, 
and others mounted by themselves, and the place, 
as it appeared, was taken. 16. The peltasts and 
light-armed men, accordingly, rushed in and laid 
hands on whatever they could find ; while Xeno- 
phon, taking his stand at the gates, detained as 
many of the heavy-armed as he could outside of 
them, for other bodies of the enemy were showing 
themselves upon some strong positions among the 
hills. 17. After the lapse of a short interval of time, 
a cry arose within, and the men came fleeing out, 
some carrying what they had seized, and one or 
two perhaps wounded ; and there was great crowd- 
ing about the gates. Those who rushed out, being 
questioned as to the cause, said that there was a 
citadel within, and a great number of the enemy, 
who sallied forth and fell upon our men who were 
in the place. 18. Xenophon then told Tolmides 
the crier to proclaim that whoever wished to get 
any plunder might go in ; when many hastened to 
the entrance, and those who tried to push their 
way in got the better of those that were hurry- 



192 THE EXPEDITION OF CYltUS. [b. Y. 

ing out, and shut up the enemy again in the cita- 
del. 19. All the parts without the citadel were 
then ravaged, and the Greeks brought out the 
spoil ; while the heavy-armed men ranged them- 
selves under arms, some round the palisading, and 
some along the way leading to the citadel. 20. 
Xenophon and the captains then deliberated 
whether it would be possible to take the citadel, 
for, in that case, a safe retreat would be secured ; 
otherwise it seemed a difficult matter to retire ; and 
it appeared to them, upon consideration, that the 
citadel was altogether impregnable. 21. They 
accordingly began to prepare for a retreat ; each 
of the men pulled up the palisades that were near- 
est to him ; and the captains sent out of the place 
the useless hands, and those who were loaded with 
plunder, but retained those in whom they sever- 
ally confided. 

22. When they commenced their retreat, num- 
bers of the enemy sallied forth upon them from 
within, armed with light shields, spears, greaves, 
and Paphlagonian helmets, while others climbed 
upon the houses that were on each side of the road 
leading to the citadel, 23. so that it was not safe 
to pursue them towards the gate leading thither, 
for they hurled down large pieces of timber from 
above ; and it was in consequence dangerous either 
to remain or retreat ; and the night, which was 
coming on, increased their alarm. 24. But while 
they were thus engaged and in perplexity, some 
god gave them the means of saving themselves ; 
for one of the houses on the right suddenly burst 
out in flames, whoever it was that set fire to it, and 
when it fell in, the enemy fied from all the houses 



CH. 2.] FORT BURNED. 193 

on the right; 25. when Xenophon, having learned 
this expedient from fortune, gave orders to set 
fire to all the houses on the left, which were of 
wood, and soon in a blaze ; and the enemy accord- 
ingly fled from these houses also. 26. Those who 
were directly over against them, however, and 
those only, still continued to annoy them, and gave 
evident signs of an intention to fall upon them in 
their egress and descent. Xenophon in conse- 
quence ordered all who were out of reach of the 
missiles to bring wood into the space between them 
and the enemy ; and when a considerable quan- 
tity was collected, they set fire to it, setting fire at 
the same time to the houses close to the palisad- 
ing, in order that the* enemy's attention might be 
engaged about these proceedings. 27. Thus, by 
interposing fire between themselves and the en- 
emy, they effected though with difficulty, a retreat 
from the place. The whole of the town, houses, 
towers, palisading, and everything else except the 
citadel, was reduced to ashes. 

28. The next day the Greeks marched away, 
carrying with them the provisions that they had 
taken ; but as they had some fears with regard to 
the descent to Trebisoncl, (for it was steep and nar- 
row,) they placed a pretended ambuscade. 29. A 
certain man, a Mysian by birth, and bearing that 
name, took ten Cretans with him and waited in a 
woody place, making it appear that he was en- 
deavouring to conceal himself from the enemy ; 
while their shields, which were of brass, glittered 
from time to time through the bushes. 30. The 
enemy accordingly, observing these indications, 
were afraid as of a real ambuscade ; and in the 



194 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

mean time the army effected its descent. When it 
appeared to the Mysian that they were advanced 
far enough, he gave a signal for them to flee with 
all speed, and he himself, and those that were 
with him, started up and hurried off. 31. The 
others, the Cretans, quitting the road, (for they 
said that they were gained upon in the race,) threw 
themselves down among the wood into the bushy 
hollows, and got off safe ; 32. but the Mysian 
himself, pursuing his flight along the road, was 
heard to call out for aid, when some ran to his re- 
lief, and brought him off wounded. The party who 
had rescued him then retreated step by step with 
their face towards the enemy, being exposed to 
their missiles, while some of the Cretans dis- 
charged their arrows in return. Thus they all re- 
turned in safety to the camp. 



CHAPTER III. 

Being unable, from want of provisions, to wait longer for Chei- 
risophus, the Greeks despatch the camp-followers and bag- 
gage by sea, and proceed themselves by land to Cerasus, 
where the whole army is reviewed. They divide among them- 
selves the money arising from the sale of the prisoners, the 
generals taking charge of the tenth part, which had been 
vowed to Apollo and Diana. Description of Xenophon's resi- 
dence, and of the temple of Diana, at Scillus. 

1. As Cheirisophus did not return, and a suffi- 
cient number of vessels were not collected, and as 
there was no longer a possibility of getting sup- 
plies, it appeared that they must take their depart- 
ure. They accordingly put on board the sick per- 
sons, and those who were about forty years of age, 



CH. 3.] DIVISION OF MONEY. 195 

with the women and children, and whatever bag- 
gage it was not necessary to retain, and appointed 
Philesius and Sophaenetus, the eldest of the gen- 
erals, to go in the vessels and take charge of them. 
The rest of the army proceeded by land ; for the 
road was now prepared. 2. Pursuing their march, 
they arrived on the third day at Cerasus, a Greek 
city upon the coast in the country of Colchis, and 
a colony from Sinope. 3. Here they stayed ten 
days, and a review of the troops under arms was 
held, and their number taken ; they were in all 
eight thousand six hundred. These were saved 
out of about ten thousand ; the rest had been cut 
off by the enemy and the snow, and perhaps two 
or three by sickness. 

4. Here also they distributed the money arising 
from the sale of the prisoners. The tenth part, 
which they set aside for Apollo and Diana of 
Ephesus, the generals took among them, each a 
portion, to keep for those duties. Neon of Asina re- 
ceived that which was intended for Cheirisophus. 

5. Xenophon, after causing an offering to be 
made for Apollo, deposited it in the treasury of the 
Athenians at Delphi, inscribing on it his own name, 
and that of Proxenus, who was killed with Clear- 
chus ; for he had been his guest- friend. 6. The 
portion designed for Diana of Ephesus he left with 
Megabyzus, the warden of that goddess's temple, 
when he returned with Agesilaus out of Asia on 
an expedition to Boeotia, because he seemed likely 
to incur some peril, and enjoined him, if he es- 
caped, to return the money to him, but, if he met 
an ill fate, to make such an offering as he thought 
would please the goddess, and dedicate it to her. 



196 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

7. Afterwards, when Xenophon was banished 
from his country, and was living at Scillus, a col- 
ony settled by the Lacedsemonians near Olympia, 
Megabyzus came to Olympia to see the games, 
and restored him the deposit. Xenophon, on re- 
ceiving it, purchased some land as an offering to 
the goddess where the god had directed him. The 
river Selinus happens to run through the midst of 
it ; 8. and another river named Selinus runs close 
by the temple of Diana at Ephesus ; and in both 
there are different kinds of fish, and shell-fish. 
On the land near Scillus, too, there is hunting, of 
all such beasts as are taken in the chase. 9. He 
built also an altar and a temple with the conse- 
crated money, and continued afterwards to make 
a sacrifice every year, always receiving a tenth of 
the produce of the season from the land ; and all 
the people of the town, as well as the men and 
women of the neighbourhood, took part in the fes- 
tival ; while the goddess supplied those in tents 
there with barley-meal, bread, wine, sweetmeats, 
and a share of the victims offered from the sacred 
pastures, and of those caught in hunting ; 10. for 
the sons of Xenophon, and those of the other in- 
habitants, always made a general hunt against 
the festival, and such of the men as were willing 
hunted with them ; and there were caught, partly 
on the sacred lands, and partly on Mount Pholoe, 
boars, and antelopes, and deer. n. This piece of 
ground lies on the road from Lacedaemon to Olym- 
pia, about twenty stadia from the temple of Jup- 
iter at Olympia. There are within the place groves 
and hills covered with trees, adapted for the breed- 
ing of swine, goats, oxen, and horses, so that the 



CH. 4.] TEMPLE OF SCILLUS. 197 

beasts of the persons coming to the festival are 
amply supplied with food. 12. Round the temple 
itself is planted a grove of cultivated trees, bear- 
ing whatever fruits are eatable in the different sea- 
sons. The edifice is similar, as far as a small can 
be to a great one, to that at Ephesus ; and the 
statue is as like to that at Ephesus as a statue of 
cypress can be to one of gold. 13. A pillar stands 
near the temple, bearing this inscription : this 

GROUND IS SACRED TO DIANA. HE THAT POS- 
SESSES AND REAPS THE FRUIT OF IT IS TO OFFER 
EVERY YEAR THE TENTH OF ITS PRODUCE, AND 
TO KEEP THE TEMPLE IN REPAIR FROM THE 
RESIDUE. IF ANY ONE FAIL TO PERFORM THESE 
CONDITIONS, THE GODDESS WILL TAKE NOTICE 
OF HIS NEGLECT. 



CHAPTER IV. 

The Greeks arrive at the country of the Mossynoeci, who, re- 
lyiug on their strong-holds, endeavor to stop their progress. 
But as they were divided into two parties, the Greeks defeat 
the one with the aid of the other, burn two fortresses, and 
plunder the chief city. Account of the barbarous man- 
ners of the Mossynoeci. 

1. From Cerasus those who had previously 
gone on board pursued their voyage by sea ; the 
rest proceeded by land, 2. When they came to 
the confines of the Mossynoeci, they sent to them 
Timesitheus, a native of Trapezus, and a guest- 
friend of the Mossynoeci, to inquire whether they 
were to march through their country as one of 
friends or of enemies. The Mossynoeci replied 
that " they would allow them no passage at all ; " 



198 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

for they trusted to their strong-holds. 3. Time- 
sitheus then acquainted the Greeks that the Mos- 
synceciin the country beyond were at enmity with 
these ; and it was resolved accordingly to ask them 
whether they were willing to form an alliance 
with the Greeks. Timesitheus, being despatched 
for that purpose, returned with their chiefs. 

4. On their arrival, the chiefs of the Mossyn- 
ceci and the generals of the Greeks held a confer- 
ence, when Xenophon spoke, and the Timesitheus 
interpreted. 5. u We are desirous," said he, "O 
Mossynceci, to effect a safe passage to Greece by 
land, as we have no ships ; but these people, who, 
as we hear, are your enemies, oppose our way. 
6. It is in your power, therefore, if you think proper, 
to take us for your allies, and to avenge your- 
selves for whatever injury they have done you, 
and make them subject to you for the future. 7. 
But if you reject our application, consider whence 
you will again procure so efficient a power to sup- 
port you." 8. To this the head chief of the Mos- 
synceci answered that they were pleased with the 
proposal, and would consent to the alliance. 9. 
k< Well then," said Xenophon, " for what purpose 
will you want to make use of us, if we become 
your allies, and how far will you be able to assist 
us with regard to our passage through the coun- 
try?" 10. They replied, "We shall be able to 
make an irruption, from the farther side, into the 
country of those who are enemies to both you and 
us, and to send hither for you, both ships and men, 
who will be your auxiliaries, and guide you on your 
way." n. Having given and received pledges on 
these terms, they departed. 



CH. 4.] MOSSYNCECI IN BATTLE. 199 

The next day they returned with three hundred 
canoes, and three men in each, of whom two dis- 
embarked, and formed in line under arms, while 
the third remained on board. 12. The latter sailed 
off with the canoes, and those who were left be- 
hind, ranged themselves in the following manner. 
They drew up in lines, of about a hundred men 
in each, like rows of dancers fronting one another, 
all bearing shields made of the hides of white oxen, 
with the hair on, shaped like an ivy-leaf, and in 
their right hand a spear six cubits long, with a 
point at the upper end, and at the lower a round 
knob formed from the wood of the shaft. 13. They 
were clad in short tunics, that did not reach to 
their knees, of the thickness of a linen bag for bed- 
clothes, and had on their heads helmets made of 
leather like those of the Paphlagonians, with a 
plait of hair round the middle, nearly resembling 
a tiara ; they had also battle-axes of iron. 14. One 
of them next went forward, and all the rest fol- 
lowed him, singing to a tune ; and then, passing 
through the lines and heavy-armed troops of the 
Greeks, they proceeded straight towards the en- 
emy, to attack a fortress, which appeared easy to 
be assailed, 15. and which was situated in front 
of the city which they call their metropolis, occu- 
pying the highest point in the country of the Mos- 
synoeci. It was about this strong-hold that the 
present war had arisen; for those who for the time 
being held this position, were regarded as chief 
of all the Mossynceci ; and they said that the other 
party had seized it unjustly, and, by appropriat- 
ing to themselves a common possession, had gained 
t lie ascendency over them. ig. Some of the Greeks 



200 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

followed these men, not by orders from their offi- 
cers, but for the sake of plunder. While they were 
advancing, the enemy were quiet for a time, but, 
as they drew near the fort, they sallied out and 
put them to flight, killing several of the Barbar- 
ians, and some few of the Greeks that went up 
with them, and continued the pursuit until they 
saw the main body of the Greeks coming to the 
rescue. 17. They then turned and fled, and, cut- 
ting off the heads of the slain, exhibited them to 
the Greeks and their own enemies, dancing and 
singing, at the same time, to some kind of tune. 

18. The Greeks were much vexed on this occa- 
sion, because they had rendered the enemy bolder, 
and because their own men, who had gone out 
with the party in considerable numbers, had run 
away ; a circumstance which had never before hap- 
pened during the expedition. 19. Xenophon how- 
ever, calling the Greeks together, said, " Do not 
be cast down, soldiers, at what has happened, for 
be assured that the good which has occurred is not 
less than the evil. 20. In the first place, you are 
now convinced that those who are to guide us, are 
in reality enemies to those to whom it is necess- 
ary for us also to be enemies. In the next, those 
of the Greeks who were regardless of our disci- 
pline, and thought themselves able to do as much 
in conjunction with the Barbarians as with us, 
have paid the penalty of their rashness ; so that 
on any other occasion they will be less inclined to 
desert our body. 21. And it is now incumbent on 
you so to prepare yourselves, that you may appear 
to such of the Barbarians as are your friends to be 
superior to them in courage, and to prove to your 



CH. 4.] GREEKS RANSACK THE TOWN. 201 

enemies that they will not fight with the same 
kind of men now, as when they fought with those 
who were in disorder." 

22. Thus they rested for that day. On the next, 
when they had sacrified, and found favourable 
omens, and had taken their breakfast, they 
formed themselves in columns, ranging the Bar- 
barians on the left in the same way, and marched 
forward with the archers between the columns, 
keeping a little within the front ranks of the heavy- 
armed troops, for some of the enemy's light-armed 
men ran down and hurled stones at them. 23. 
These the archers and peltasts tried to keep in 
check ; the rest of the Greeks proceeded at a slow 
pace, in the first place, towards the fortress, from 
which the Barbarians, and the Greeks who were 
with them, had been repulsed the day before ; for 
here the enemy were drawn up to oppose them. 

24. The Barbarians awaited the charge of the pel- 
tasts, and engaged with them ; but when the heavy- 
armed came up, they took to flight, when the pel- 
tasts immediately pursued them up the hill to the 
metropolis, and the heavy-armed followed in order. 

25. As soon as they had reached the top, and 
were close to the houses in the metropolis, the en- 
emy, being now collected in a body, encountered 
and hurled lances at them ; and, using other 
spears of great thickness and length, such as a man 
could hardly carry, they endeavoured to defend 
themselves with them hand to hand. 

26. As the Greeks however did not give way, 
but engaged them in close combat, they fled also 
from this part, abandoning the place entirely. But 
their king, who resided in a wooden tower, built 



202 THE EXPEDITION* OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

upon an eminence, and whom, while he lives there, 
they all maintain and guard in common, would not 
consent to come out, nor would those who were in 
the fortress that was first taken, but were burnt 
there together with the towers. 27. The Greeks, 
in ransacking the place, found in the houses stores 
of bread, laid up, as the Mossynoeci themselves 
said, according to their hereditary practice, and 
the new corn put by in the straw ; the most of it 
was spelt. 28. Sliced flesh of dolphins, too, was 
found pickled in jars, and fat of dolphins also in 
other vessels, which the Mossynoeci used as the 
Greeks use oil. 29. In the upper part of the houses 
were vast stores of chestnuts, of the broad kind, 
without any fissure ; these they used in great quan- 
tities for food, boiling them and baking loaves of 
them. Wine was likewise found, which, when un- 
mixed, seemed sour to the taste by reason of its 
roughness, but mixed with water, was both fra- 
grant and sweet. 

30. The Greeks, after dining here, proceeded on 
their march, delivering up the place to the tribe 
of Mossynoeci that had become their allies. As for 
the other towns at which they arrived, belonging 
to the people on that side of the enemy, the Bar- 
barians deserted such as were most accessible, 
while the inhabitants of others willingly came over 
to them. 31. Most of these places were situated 
thus : they were distant from one another about 
eighty stadia, some more, some less ; yet the in- 
habitants could hear each other calling out from 
one town to another ; so mountainous and hollow 
is the country. 

32. When the Greeks, advancing onward, ar- 



CH. 5.] HABITS OF THE MOSSYNCECI* 203 

rived in the country of their friends, they showed 
them some boys, sons of the richest sort of people, 
extremely fat, (having been fed on boiled chest- 
nuts,) very soft and fair-skinned, and not far from 
being equal in height and breadth, painted also on 
their backs with various colours, and tattooed all 
over their fore-parts with flowers. 33. They want- 
ed to have intercourse in public with the mis- 
tresses that the Greeks had with them ; for such 
is their custom. Both the men and women were 
very fair. 34. Those engaged in this expedition 
said that these were the most barbarous of all the 
people they passed through, and furthest removed 
from the manners of the Greeks ; for they do those 
things in a crowd, which other men would do in 
private, or would not venture to do at all ; and 
they acted, when alone, just as they would have 
acted in company with others ; they talked to 
themselves, laughed to themselves, and stopped 
and danced wherever they happened to be, as if 
they were exhibiting themselves to others. 



CHAPTER V. 

The Greeks pass through the territories of the Chalybes, 
and arrive at Cotyora, a colony from Sinope, in those of 
the Tibareui. Not being hospitably received, they subsist 
by plundering the neighbouring country, and that of the 
Paphlagonians. The people of Sinope complain of these dep- 
redations, but are appeased by the reply of Xenophon. 

l. Through this country, partly hostile and 
partly friendly, the Greeks proceeded eight days' 
journey, and arrived among the Chalybes. This 
people are few in number, and subject to the 



204 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

Mossynoeci ; and the subsistence of most of them 
is procured by working in iron. 2. They next 
came to the Tibareni, whose country was much 
more level, and contained some towns on the sea- 
coast, not very strongly fortified. Upon these 
places the generals were inclined to make an at- 
tack, and thus in some degree to benefit the 
army ; and accordingly they did not receive the 
offerings of hospitality that was sent them from 
the Tibareni, but ordered those who brought 
them to wait till they had considered how to act, 
and then proceeded to sacrifice. 3. After offer- 
ing several victims, all the augurs at last gave 
their opinion that the gods by no means approved 
of war. They then accepted the presents, and 
marching on, as through a country belonging to 
friends, they arrived in two days at Cotyora, a 
Greek city, a colony from Sinope, situated in the 
territorv of the Tibareni. 

4. Thus far the army had proceeded by land. 
The length of their journey down the country, 
from the field of battle near Babylon to Cotyora, 
was a hundred and twenty-two days' march, six 
hundred and twenty parasangs, or eighteen thou- 
sand six hundred stadia ; and the length of time 
spent in it was eight months. 

5. Here they stayed forty -five days ; during 
which they first sacrificed to the gods, and then 
each of the Greeks, according to their tribes, 
celebrated processions and gymnastic games. 6. 
Their provisions, meanwhile, they took partly 
from Paphlagonia, and partly from the lands of 
the Cotyorites ; for they refused to permit them to 
purchase, or to receive their sick within the walls. 



CH. 5.] COMPLAINTS OF DEPREDATIONS. 205 

7. During this state of things ambassadors 
came from the people of Sin ope, who were in 
fear about the city of Cotyora, (for it belonged 
to them, and the inhabitants paid them tribute,) 
and about the land, as they had heard that it- 
was being ravaged. Having arrived at the camp, 
they said, (Hieronymus, who was thought a man 
of eloquence, speaking for the rest,) 8. " The 
people of Sinope, soldiers, have sent us hither, 
first of all, to offer you commendation, because, 
being Greeks, you have overcome the Barbari- 
ans, and next to congratulate you on having ar- 
rived here safe, as we hear, through many and 
great struggles, o. But we think it right that, 
as we ourselves are Greeks, we should receive 
favour, and not injury, at the hands of you who 
are Greeks ; for we have certainly never been 
aggressors in doing you any ill. 10. The people 
of Cotyora, are colonists of ours, and we gave 
them this land after having taken it from the 
Barbarians ; on which account they pay us an 
appointed tribute, in the same manner as the 
people of Cerasus and Trebisond ; so that what- 
ever evil you do to them, the city of Sinope will 
consider itself aggrieved by it. n. We are now 
informed that, having entered the town by force, 
you are quartered, some of you, in the houses, 
and are taking whatever you want from the 
neighborhood without having obtained the peo- 
ple's consent. 12. These proceedings we cannot 
approve, and, if you continue to act thus, it will 
be necessary for us to make friends of Corylas 
and the Paphlagonians, and whomsoever else we 
may be able to attach to us." 



206 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

13. In reply to these complaints Xenophon 
rose up and spoke in behalf of the army as fol- 
lows : " We, O men of Sinope, have come hither, 
content with having preserved our persons and 
our arms ; for to bring away spoil with us, and 
at the same time to fight with our enemies, was 
impossible ; 14. and now, since we arrived among 
the Greek cities, (at Trebisond for example, for 
there they followed us to buy,) we have got our 
provisions by purchase ; and in return lor the 
honours which they did us, and the presents which 
they gave to the army, we paid them every re- 
spect, and abstained from injuring any of the 
Barbarians that were their friends, while to their 
enemies, against whom they lead us, we did as 
much harm as we could. 15. Inquire of them, 
(for the men, whom, through friendship, the city 
sent along with us as guides, are present here.) 
what sort of persons they found us. 16. But 
whithersoever we come and found no opportunity 
of purchasing, whether to a country of Barbari- 
ans or of Greeks, we take provisions for our- 
selves, not tyrannically, but from necessity. 17. 
Thus we made the Carduchi, the Taochi, and the 
Chaldasans, (not subjects of the king indeed, but 
very formidable people,) our enemies, by being 
under the necessity of taking provisions from 
them, as they gave us no opportunity to buy ; 
18. but the Macrones, since they afforded us 
every facility for purchasing that they could, we 
regarded, though Barbarians, as friends, and 
took nothing from them by force. 19. But as 
for the people of Cotyora, (who, you say, are 
your subjects,) for whatever we have taken from 



CH. 5.] XENOPHON'S SPEECH. 207 

them they themselves are to be blamed ; for 
they did not make advances to us as friends, but, 
shutting their gates, would neither admit us with- 
in their walls, nor offer us provisions for sale 
without ; and they alleged that the governor ap- 
pointed by you was the cause of these proceed- 
ings. 20. With regard to your remark that we 
have entered the city and lodged ourselves in it 
by force, we requested them to receive our sick 
under their roofs ; but, when they would not 
open their gates, we, effecting an entrance where 
the place itself would admit us, committed no 
further act of violence ; and the sick now lodge 
in the houses, living upon their own means ; 
while we place a guard at the gates, only that 
our disabled soldiers may not be in the hands of 
your governor, but that it may be in our power 
to remove them when we wish. 21. The rest of 
us, as you see, are encamped in order in the open 
air, prepared, if any one does us a service to do 
him a service in return ; if an injury, to defend 
ourselves against him. 22. And as to your threat 
that, if you think proper, you will make Corylas 
and the Paphlagonians your allies against us, be 
assured that we, if it be necessary, will fight with 
you both, (for we have already fought with ene- 
mies much more numerous than you,) or, if we 
think fit, we will make the Paphlagonian leader 
>ur friend, 23. for we have heard that he covets 
>oth your city and all the other places on the 
sea. We shall try to become his friends by as- 
sisting him in the attainment of what he de- 
sires." 
24. After this speech the colleagues of Heca- 



208 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

tonymus testified manifest displeasure at what 
he had said, and another of them, coming for- 
ward, said that they were not come to make war, 
but to declare that they were friends. " And if 
you come," he continued, " to the city of Sinope, 
we will receive you there, with tokens of friend- 
ship, and, for the present, we will desire the 
people here to supply you with what they can, 
for we see that all that you state is true." 25. 
The people of Cotyora then sent presents to the 
army, and the generals of the Greeks entertained 
the ambassadors from Sinope ; and they con- 
versed with one another about many other things 
that concerned them, and inquired about such 
particulars as each party wanted to know re- 
specting the remainder of the route. 



CHAPTER VI. 



The Greeks, by the advice of Hecatonymus, resolved to pro- 
ceed by sea, if the people of Sinope will send them ships 
enough for their conveyance. A project of Xenophon's to 
build a city in Pontus is frustrated by the treachery of Sila- 
nus. Several of the Greeks are inclined to settle in Pontus. 

l. Such was the end of that day. On the next, 
the generals assembled the soldiers, and it was 
resolved to call in the ambassadors from Sinope 
and consult them about the rest of their journey ; 
for, if it should be necessary to proceed by land, 
the Sinopeans seemed likely to prove useful as 
guides, as they were well acquainted with Paphla- 
gonia ; or if by sea, it appeared that they would 
want the aid of the Sinopeans, for they were 
the only people that seemed able to furnish a 



CH. 6.] ADVICE OF HECATONYMUS. 209 

sufficient number of ships for transporting the 
army. 2. Having requested the attendance of 
the ambassadors, therefore, they asked their 
opinion, and desired that, being Greeks, they 
would in the first place receive them well, both 
by being kind to them as Greeks, and by advis- 
ing them for the best. 

3. Hecatonymus, rising up, first stated in apol- 
ogy for his observation " that they would make 
the Paphlagonian their friend," that he had 
said this, not to imply that they were going to 
make war upon the Greeks, but that they would 
prefer the friendship of the Greeks though 
they had the option of becoming friends to the 
Barbarians. When they called upon him to give 
them his advice, he spoke, with an appeal to the 
gods, to the following effect : 4. "If I advise 
you what seems to me to be best, may many 
good things befall me ; if not, things of a contrary 
nature ; for that sort of counsel, which is said to 
be sacred, appears now to be required ; and, if 
I shall be thought to have advised you well, 
there will be many of you to applaud me, and if 
ill, many of you to execrate me. 5. I am aware, 
then, that we ourselves shall have much more 
trouble if you proceed by sea, for it will be nec- 
essary for us to furnish the vessels ; while, if you 
go by land, it will fall upon you to fight your 
way. 6. However, I must tell you what I know ; 
for I am well acquainted both with the country of 
the Paphlagonians and with their strength. As 
for the country, it presents many beautiful plains, 
and mountains of a very great height ; 7. and I 
know, in the first place, the part where you must 



210 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

certainly make your entrance into it, for it is im- 
possible to enter it at any other point than where 
the peaks of a mountain rise to a vast height on 
each side of the road, which a handful of men in 
possession of them would be able to defend ; and, 
if they are pre-occupied, not even all the men in 
the world would be able to force a passage. 
These I could show you, if you would send any- 
body with me. 8. Beyond, I know that there 
are plains, and a body of cavalry which the Bar- 
barians themselves think superior to all the 
king's cavalry ; and, on a recent occasion, they 
did not join him when he summoned them, as 
their leader has too high a spirit to do so. 9. 
But if you could even pass the mountains un- 
observed, or anticipate the enemy in taking pos- 
session of them, and could defeat their cavalry, 
as well as more than a hundred and twenty thou- 
sand infantry, in battle on the plain, you would 
in the next place come to rivers, first to the 
Thermodon, three hundred feet in breadth, which 
I consider difficult to pass, especially with a large 
number of enemies before you, and an equal 
number following you behind ; next to the Iris, 
three hundred feet broad also ; and, thirdly, to 
the Halys, not less than two furlongs in breadth, 
which you would be unable to cross without 
boats; and with boats who would supply you? 
The Parthenius, too, at which you would arrive 
if you were to pass the Halys, is equally impass- 
able. 10. I consider this way, therefore, not 
merely as difficult, but as absolutely impracti- 
cable. But if you go by sea, you may sail along 
the coast from hence to Sinope, and from Sinope 






CH. 6.] E3IBASSY TO SINOPE. 211 

to Heraclea ; and from Heraclea there will be 
no difficulty in proceeding either by land or sea, 
as there are plenty of vessels at Heraclea. ,, 

11. When he had given this advice, some sus- 
pected that he had given it through friendship 
for Corylas, as he was a public guest-friend of his ; 
others thought that he was to receive a reward 
for his counsel ; and others, again, imagined -that 
he had thus advised them, in order that they 
might not, by marching through the territory of 
the Sinopeans, do any damage to it. The Greeks 
however gave their votes for going by sea. 

12. Xenophon then said, fc< O men of Sinope, 
the soldiers have chosen the mode of travelling 
which you advise ; and the matter now stands 
thus ; if the vessels are to be furnished in suffi- 
cient numbers, so that not a man of us be left 
here, we will sail ; but if some of us are to be 
left here, and others to sail, we shall not go on 
board the vessels at all ; 13. for we are sure that 
wherever we are the stronger, we shall be able 
both to save ourselves and to get provisions, but 
that if we are anywhere found weaker than our 
enemies, it is quite clear we shall be in the con- 
dition of slaves.' 7 14. The ambassadors, on hear- 
ing this statement, desired the Greeks to send an 
embassy to Sinope. They accordingly sent Calli- 
machus an Arcadian, Ariston an Athenian, and 
Samolas an Achaean ; all of whom immediately 
set out. 

15. In the meantime, when Xenophon con- 
templated the numerous body of heavy-armed 
Greeks, as well as the great number of peltasts, 
archers, slingers, and cavalry, rendered extremely 



212 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

efficient by exercise, that were now in Pontus, 
where so large a force could not be collected 
without great expense, it appeared to him that it 
would be an honorable undertaking to acquire 
territory and power for Greece by founding a 
city there. 16. He thought that such a city 
might become great, when he considered both 
the number of the Greeks themselves, and that 
of the surrounding inhabitants of Pontus. With 
reference to this project he offered a sacrifice, 
summoning to it Silanus of Ambracia, who had 
been augur to Cyrus, before he spoke on the 
subject to any one of the soldiers. 17. Silanus, 
fearing that the scheme might take effect, and 
that the army might form a settlement some- 
where, spread a report through the army that 
Xenophon wanted them all to remain there, and 
form a city, and thus give him fame and power. 

18. But what Silanus himself wished, was to set 
off for Greece as soon as possible, as he had 
saved the three thousand darics that he had re- 
ceived from Cyrus, when, sacrificing for him, he 
gave a true prediction concerning the ten days. 

19. As to the soldiers, when they heard of the 
matter, some thought it best to stay there, but 
the majority were of a different opinion ; and 
Timasion the Dardanian, and Thorax the Boeo- 
tian told some merchants of Heraclea and Sinope 
who happened to be there, that if they did not 
procure pay for the troops, so that they might 
have provisions on the voyage, there would be 
danger of so great an army remaining in Pontus ; 
for Xenophon, said they, is forming this project, 
and desires us, when the vessels have arrived, 



CH. 6.] EMBASSY TO SINOPE. 213 

suddenly to say to the army, 20. " Soldiers, we 
observe that we are now at a loss both how to 
get provisions for our voyage, and how to benefit 
our families on returning home. But if you are 
inclined to select some spot, wherever you 
please, in the inhabited country around the Eux- 
ine, and to take possession of it, allowing those 
to go home who are desirous to go, and those 
who are willing, to settle here, you have ships 
at command, so that you may make a sud- 
den descent upon any part you may think 
proper." 21. The merchants, on hearing this 
account, communicated it to their cities ; and 
Timasion the Dardanian sent with them Eury- 
machus, also a Dardanian, and Thorax the Boeo- 
tian, to make the same statement. The people 
of Sinope and Heraclea, as soon as they learned 
this, sent to Timasion, and engaged him, on re- 
ceipt of a certain sum of money, to use his in- 
fluence in bringing it to pass, that the army 
might sail out of the Euxine. 22. He willingly 
listened to this proposal, and made a speech, in 
an assembly of the soldiers, to the following 
purport : " We ought not to give our thoughts, 
soldiers, to remaining here ; or to esteem any other 
country as preferable to Greece. I hear, how- 
ever, that certain persons are sacrificing with a 
view to this object, without informing you of it. 
23. But, if you will sail out of the Euxine, I 
engage to give each of you monthly a stater of 
Cyzicus as pay, computing from the first day of 
the month ; and I will then conduct you to 
Troas, from whence I am an exile, and my city 
shall aid you, for my countrymen will gladly re- 



214 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

ceive me. 24. I will also guide you to places 
from which you may get wealth, for I am well 
acquainted with ^Eolia, Phrygia, Troas, aud all 
the satrapy of Pharnabazus, partly from being 
a native of that quarter, and partly from hav- 
ing served there with Clearchus and Dercyl- 
lidas." 

25. Thorax the Boeotian, who was always con- 
tending with Xenophon for the chief command, 
immediately stood up, and said, that if they sailed 
out of the Euxine, there would be before them 
the Chersonese, a fine and rich country ; so that 
such as wished might settle there, and such as 
were unwilling to do so, might return home ; add- 
ing that it was ridiculous, when there was abun- 
dance of rich land in Greece, to seek settlements 
in a country of Barbarians. 26. "And until 
you arrive there, " said he, " I, as well as Tim- 
asion, engage that you shall have pay." This 
he said from having learned what the people of 
Heraclea and Sinope had promised on condition 
that they sailed away. Xenophon, in the mean- 
time, was silent. 27. Philesius and Lycon, how- 
ever, both Achasans, rose up and observed that 
it was intolerable that Xenophon should privately 
persuade the soldiers to remain, and sacrifice 
with a view to their stay, not allowing the army 
to participate in the sacrifice, and saying nothing 
on the subject to the general council. Xeno- 
phon was in consequence obliged to rise and 
speak as follows : 

28. U I sacrifice, as you see, soldiers, to the 
best of my ability, both for you and for myself, 
in order that I may say, and think, and do such 



CH. 6.] XENOPHON SPEAKS. 215 

things as may be most honourable and advanta- 
geous both for yourselves and me ; and I was 
just now sacrificing about this very considera- 
tion, whether it would be better to proceed to 
speak and treat with you on this subject, or not 
to touch on the point at all. 29. Silanus the 
augur informed me, what was the most impor- 
tant particular, that the victims were favorable, 
but added (for he knew that I was not unskilled 
in such matters, from being constantly present at 
the sacrifices,) that some fraud and treachery 
was indicated against me by the sacrifices, as 
being conscious, forsooth, that he himself was 
treacherously purposing to calumniate me to 
you ; for he it was that spread the report that I 
intended to carry this scheme into execution 
without gaining your consent. 30. If indeed I 
had seen you in want, I should have meditated 
some scheme, of which the result might have 
been that you, after possessing yourselves of 
some town, might sail home, such of you as were 
inclined, immediately, and such as were not so, 
after they had acquired sufficient to be of some 
benefit to their families. 31. But since I see 
the people of Heraclea and Sinope sending you 
vessels to sail in, and individuals here promising 
you pay from the beginning of the month, it 
appears to me an excellent thing for us, after 
getting safe where we wish to be, to receive pay 
for allowing ourselves to be preserved ; and I 
myself, accordingly, give up this project, and 
think that all who have come to me saying that 
we ought to act in this manner, should give it 
up likewise. 32. For what I think is this ; that 



21 G THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

while you continue together, as at present, in 
large numbers, you are likely to be held in 
honour, and to find provisions, (since in superior 
strength lies the privilege of taking what belongs 
to the weaker ;) but if you are divided, and your 
force broken into small bodies, you will neither 
be able to procure subsistence, nor effect a de- 
parture to your satisfaction. 33. My opinion, 
consequently, is the same with your own, that 
we ought to set out for Greece, and that if any 
one remain here, or be found leaving any one 
behind, before the whole army is in a place of 
safety, he be brought to trial as a criminal. 
And by whomsoever," he added, " these senti- 
ments are approved, let him hold up his hand." 
They all held them up. 

34. But Silanus cried out in opposition, and 
attempted to show that such as wished to leave 
the army ought to be allowed to do so. This 
proposition however the soldiers would not en- 
dure, but threatened that, if they caught him 
runniug away, they would inflict punishment on 
him. 35. Soon after, when the Heracleans 
learned that it was resolved to sail out of the 
Euxine, and that it was Xenophon who had put 
the matter to the vote, they sent the ships ; but 
about the money for pay, which they had prom- 
ised to Timasion and Thorax, they broke their 
word. 36. In consequence, those who had en- 
gaged for its payment were confounded, and in 
dread of the army. Takiug with them there- 
fore the rest of the generals, those at least to 
whom they had communicated what they were 
previously attempting, (and these were all ex- 



CH. 7.] SOLDIERS DISCONTENTED. 217 

cept Neon of Asina, who commanded under 
Cheirisophus, and Cheirisophus had not yet re- 
turned,) they went to Xenophon, and told him 
that they were sorry for what had been done, 
and that it seemed the best course to them, since 
they had vessels, to sail to the river Phasis, and 
take possession of the country of the Phasians, 
of whom a grandson of .ZEetes happened then to 
be king. 37. Xenophon replied that he would 
propose nothing of the sort to the troops, u but 
assemble them yourselves/' said he, u and lay 
the matter before them if you please." Tim- 
asion the Dardanian than gave his opinion that 
they should not call a general assembly, but 
that each of the leaders should endeavour, in the 
first place, to persuade his own men. They 
accordingly went oif and put this plan in ex- 
ecution. 






CHAPTER VII. 



Xenophon. being accused of encouraging the army to sail to 
the Phasis, defends himself in a formal speech, and is the 
means of bringing certain of the soldiers, who had some 
time before insulted the ambassadors from Cerasus, to 
punishment. 

l. The soldiers now learned that these mat- 
ters were in agitation ; and Neon of Asina told 
them that Xenophon, having brought the other 
generals over to his side, was resolved to de- 
ceive the army and take them back again to the 
Phasis. 2. The soldiers, on hearing this account, 
were greatly displeased, meetings began to be 



218 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

held, and knots collected among them ; and they 
gave great reason to fear that they would act as 
they had done to the heralds of the Colchians 
and the commissaries of the market ; for as 
many of them as had not escaped to the sea had 
been stoned. 3. As soon as Xenophon observed 
this state of things, he thought proper to call the 
army immediately together, and not to leave 
them to collect of their own accord. He there- 
fore ordered the herald to summon a general 
assembly, 4. and the troops, when they heard the 
herald's voice, hastened to the meeting with the 
greatest alacrity. Xenophon did not accuse the 
other generals of having come to him, but ad- 
dressed the troops thus : 

5. " I hear, soldiers, that some one accuses me 
of intending to deceive you, and to take you to 
the Phasis. Hear me therefore, in the name of 
the gods, and if I appear to have done wrong, I 
ought not to depart hence till I have suffered 
due punishment ; but if, on the contrary, my 
accusers are proved to be in the wrong, treat 
them, I beseech you, as they deserve. 6. You 
doubtless know," he continued, u where the sun 
rises and where it sets, and that whoever intends 
to go to Greece must proceed towards the west, 
and whoever would go to the Barbarians, in the 
contrary direction towards the east ; and is there 
any one, then, who would be able deceitfully to 
persuade you that the sun rises in this quarter 
and sets in that, sets here, and rises there ? 7. 
You also know that the north wind carries you 
out of the Euxine Sea towards Greece, and the 
south wind inwards towards the Phasis ; and 



CH. 7.] XENOPHON'S ARGUMENT. 219 

you exclaim, when the north wind blows, that 
it is fair sailing for Greece. Is it possible, 
then, that any one could deceive you with re- 
gard to this, to induce you to embark when the 
south wind is blowing? But you'will say, per- 
haps, I shall put you on board when it is calm. 
8. I however shall sail but in one ship, and you 
in a hundred at least ; and how then could I 
force you to sail with me against your will, or 
lead you away by deceit ? 9. But I will suppose 
that you are deceived and bewitched by me, and 
arrive at the Phasis ; we then land in the country ; 
you will know very well that you are not in 
Greece, and I, who have deceived you, shall be 
but one, while you who have been deceived, will 
be nearly ten thousand, with arms in your hands ; 
and how could one individual more eifectually 
bring vengeance on himself, than by planning 
thus concerning himself and you ? 10. But these 
charges proceed from foolish men, and men who 
are jealous of me because I am honoured by 
you; though indeed they are jealous without 
reason ; for which of them do I hinder from 
speaking before you, if he has anything to pro- 
pose for }^our advantage, or from fighting, if he 
wishes, for you and himself, or from watching, if 
he cares to do so, for your safety ? When you 
choose officers, do I stand in the way of any 
one ? I am ready to resign ; let another take the 
command ; only let him show that he would do 
something for your advantage. 11. What I have 
said, however, upon this point, is sufficient. But 
if any one of you thinks that he could of himself 
have been deceived in this matter, or that any 



220 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

other person could have deceived him in it, let 
him speak and make known his thoughts to us. 

12. " When you are satisfied on this head, do 
not disperse until you have heard something of 
a sort of conduct, which I perceive, is beginning 
to show itself among the troops ; for if it goes 
on, and becomes what it threatens to be, it is 
time for us to consider about ourselves, that we 
may not appear in the sight of gods and men, of 
enemies and friends, to be the basest and most 
infamous of all men, and bring ourselves utterly 
into contempt." 13. The soldiers, on hearing 
these words, wondered what the matter could be, 
and desired him to proceed. He accordingly re- 
sumed his speech : " You are aware that there 
were some places upon the mountains belonging 
to the Barbarians, and in alliance with the people 
of Cerasus, from which some of the inhabitants 
came down to us, and offered to sell us cattle 
for sacrifice, and such other things as they had. 
Some of you seem to have gone to the nearest 
of these places, and to have made some pur- 
chases and returned. 14. Clearchus, one of the 
captains, understanding that this place was small 
and unguarded, because the people supposed that 
they were in friendship with us, went against it 
in the night to plunder it, without telling any of 
us of his intention. 15. He had purposed, if he 
should take the place, not to return again to the 
army, but, embarking in a vessel, in which his 
comrades were sailing along the coast, and put- 
ting on board whatever he got, to sail clear away 
out of the Euxine. His companions in the vessel 
had concerted all this with him, as I now learn. 



CH. 7.] ADDRESS OF XENOPHON. 221 

16. Assembling therefore as many as he could 
induce to follow him, he led them towards the 
place. But day-light overtook him on his way, 
and the inhabitants collecting together, and hurl- 
ling missiles, and using other weapons, from their 
places of defence, killed Clearchus and several of 
the rest ; some few of them retreated to Cerasus. 

17. These occurrences happened on the day on 
which we set out hither from Cerasus by land, 
and while some of those who were to sail along 
the coast were still at Cerasus, not having as yet 
weighed anchor. After this, as the people of Cer- 
asus state, three of the older men came from the 
place, desiring to have an interview with our 
common assembly. 18. As they did not find us, 
they told the people of Cerasus that they won- 
dered why we had thought of attacking them. 
The people of Cerasus, however, said that when 
they told them that the outrage had not been com- 
mitted by public authority, they were delighted, 
and were going to sail hither to give us an ac- 
count of what had happened, and to invite those 
who wished it to take their dead and bury them. 
19. But some of the Greeks that had fled hap- 
pened to be still at Cerasus, and discovering 
whither the Barbarians were going, had the dar- 
ing to throw stones at them themselves, and en- 
couraged others to do the same. Thus these men, 
the three deputies, were stoned to death. 

20. " When this crime was committed, some of 
the people of Cerasus came to us, and gave us an 
account of the affair. We, the generals, on listen- 
ing to it, were greatly concerned at what had 
happened, and consulted with the men from Cer- 



222 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

asus liow the dead Greeks might be buried. 21. 
As we were sitting in council, outside the quar- 
ters of the heavy-armed men, we suddenly heard 
a great outcry of voices, 4 Strike, strike, throw, 
throw ! ' and immediately saw a great number of 
men running together with stones in their hands, 
and others picking them up. 22. The people of 
Cerasus, as having witnessed what had happened 
among themselves, retreated in fear to their ves- 
sels ; and there were some of us, by Jove, who 
were also in fear. 23. I, for my part, went up 
to them, and asked them what the matter was. 
Some of them knew nothing about it ; and yet 
had stones in their hands. When at length I met 
with one who did know, he told me that the com- 
missaries of the market were treating the army in a 
manner not to be endured. 24. At this moment 
one of the soldiers perceived the commissary 
Zelarchus retreating towards the sea, and called 
out ; the rest, hearing the cry, rushed towards him 
as if a wild boar or a stag had appeared. 25. 
The men of Cerasus, seeing the soldiers hurrying 
in their direction, and thinking that they were 
coming to attack them, fled in all haste, and 
threw themselves into the sea ; when some of our 
men threw themselves in likewise, and such as 
did not know how to swim were drowned. 26. 
Why do you think that these men fled ? They 
had done no wrong ; but they were afraid that 
some madness, like that of dogs, must have seized 
our men. If things are to go on thus, consider 
what will be the state of our army. 27. You, as 
a body, will not have the privilege either of com- 
mencing war with whom you please, or of break- 



CH. 7.] ACCOUNT OF AN OUTRAGE. 223 

ing it off, but every man that chooses may lead 
off troops of his own will, on whatever enterprise 
he thinks proper. And if any deputies come to 
you, to ask for peace or anything else, whoever 
pleases may, by putting them to death, prevent 
you from hearing the requests of those who apply 
to you. 28. Besides, those whom you have all 
elected generals, will then be of no authority, 
but whoever may elect himself general, and be 
inclined to cry, ' Throw, throw,' will be able to 
put to death either officer or private among you, 
whomsoever he pleases, without a trial, at least 
if men be found, as in this recent instance, to 
obey him. 

, 29. " Consider, too, what these self-elected 
leaders have done for you. If Zelarchus the 
commissary has done you any wrong, he has 
sailed off without making any atonement to you ; 
if he has done you none, he has fled from the 
camp for fear of being put to death unjustly and 
without trial. 30. Those who stoned the depu- 
ties have made it unsafe for you alone, of all the 
Greeks, to go to Cerasus, unless with a power- 
ful force ; and with regard to the dead, whom, 
previously, those that killed them invited you to 
bury, they have rendered it no longer safe for 
you to carry them off, even though attended with 
a herald's staff. Who, indeed, that has killed 
heralds, will be willing to go as a herald? 
However, we have requested the people of 
Cerasus to bury them. 

31. "If these proceedings be right, let them 
be sanctioned by you, in order that, as such con- 
duct is to be pursued, every man may procure a 



224 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

guard for himself, and endeavour to pitch his 
tent in a strong and advantageous position. 
32. But if such acts appear to you rather those 
of wild beasts than of men, contrive some mode 
of putting a stop to them > or, if you do not, 
how, in the name of Jupiter, shall we sacrifice 
to the gods with any satisfaction, while we are 
guilty of impious deeds ? Or how shall we fight 
with our enemies, if we kill one another ? 33. 
Or what city will receive us with friendship, 
that sees such lawlessness among us ? Or who, 
with any confidence, will offer us provisions for 
sale, if we are found to offend in things of such 
moment ? Or, in the country where we expected 
to obtain the praise of all, who will praise us if 
we bear such a character ? For I am very cer- 
tain that we should pronounce others, who 
should be guilty of such acts, to be bad men." 

34. In consequence they all stood up and said 
that the leaders in these proceedings should 
suffer punishment ; that for the future it should 
be forbidden to enter upon any lawlessness of 
the kind, and that whoever attempted any, should 
be put to death ; that the generals should bring 
all such persons to trial ; and that there should 
be trials also in case any person had been 
wronged in any way since Cyrus was killed. 
The captains they appointed to be judges. On 
the motion of Xenophon, too, and with the con- 
currence of the augurs, it was resolved to purify 
the army. The purification accordingly took 
place. 



CH. 8.] OFFICERS CALLED TO ACCOUNT. 225 



CHAPTER VIII. 

A resolution is passed that the generals shall give an account 
of their conduct. Xenophon is accused by some of the 
soldiers of havinj? inflicted stripes upon them. Xenophon 
acknowledges the facts, but amply justifies his conduct. 

l. It was resolved also that the generals should 
give an account of their conduct during the time 
past; and when they gave it, Philesius and 
Xanthicles were condemned, for their negligent 
custody of the cargoes of the merchant ships, to 
pay the sum that was deficient, namely, each 
twenty minae ; and Sophagnetus was fined ten 
minse, because, being chosen a general, he had 
neglected his duty. 

Some also brought accusations against Xeno- 
phon, alleging that they had been beaten by 
him ; and made their charges on the ground that 
his conduct had been tyrannical. 2. Xenophon, 
standing up, called upon him who had spoken 
first to say where he had been beaten. He 
replied, " Where we were perishing with the 
cold, and where the greatest fall of snow was." 
3. Xenophon rejoined, "If, during such severe 
weather as you mention, when provisions were 
failing us, when we had not wine even to smell 
to, when many of us were exhausted with 
fatigue, and the enemy were close behind us, if, 
I say, I acted tyrannically at such a time, I 
acknowledge that I must have been more spite- 
ful even than asses, in which they say that from 
spite fatigue is not produced. 4. Tell us, how- 
ever, for what cause you were beaten. Did I 



226 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

ask you for anything, and beat you when you 
would not give it to me ? Or did I demand any- 
thing back from you, or was I fighting about any 
object of affection, or did I abuse you in a fit of 
intoxication ? " 5. As he said that there was 
nothing of this kind, Xenophon asked him 
whether he was one of the heavy-armed men ? 
He answered, " No." Whether he was one of 
the peltasts ? He said that he was not, but was 
a free-man, set to drive a mule by his comrades. 
6. Xenophon now recognized him, and asked 
him, " Are you the man that was carrying the 
sick person ? " " I certainly am," replied he, 
" for you compelled me to do so, and scattered 
about the baggage of my comrades." 7. " The 
scattering," rejoined Xenophon, " was something 
in this way ; I distributed it to others to carry, 
and directed them to bring it to me again ; and, 
on receiving it, I restored it all safe to you, after 
you had produced the man that I gave you in 
charge. But hear," he continued, "how the 
affair happened ; for it is worth your while. 

8. A man was left behind because he was no 
longer able to continue his march ; I knew noth- 
ing of the man but that he was one of us ; and 
I obliged you to carry him, that he might not 
perish ; for, as I believe, the enemy were in 
pursuit of us." This the man acknowledged. 

9. " Then," said Xenophon, " after I had ordered 
you to go before, I soon overtook you, and found 
you, as I came up with the rear-guard, digging a 
pit for the purpose of burying the man ; when I 
stopped and commended you. 10. But as the 
man, while we stood by, drew in his leg, all who 



CH. 8.] XENOPHON REPLIES. 227 

were present cried out that he was alive ; and 
you said, ' He may be as much alive as he likes, 
for I shall not carry him.' Upon this I struck 
you ; you say but the truth ; for you seemed to 
me to have been aware that the man was alive." 
11. " What then," exclaimed the accuser, " did 
he the less die, after I had shown him to you ? " 
" We shall all die," rejoined Xenophon, " but 
must we for that reason.be buried alive?" 12. 
At this all the assembly cried out that Xenophon 
had not beaten him enough. 

He then called upon the rest to state on what 
account each of them had been struck. 13. But 
as none of them stood forward, he said, " I ac- 
knowledge, fellow-soldiers, that I have beaten 
men for leaving their ranks ; such men as were 
content to be saved by our exertions, and, while 
we marched in order and fought where it was 
necessary, tried, by quitting their places, and 
hurrying on before us, to get plunder, and gain 
in that respect an advantage over us. Had we 
all acted in this way, we should all have perished. 
14. I also struck some, and forced them to march, 
who were giving way to inaction, unwilling to 
rise, and abandoning themselves to the enemy ; 
for I myself, when I was once waiting, during 
the excessive cold, for some of the men to pack 
up their baggage, and had sat for a considerable 
time, found that I could hardly get up and stretch 
my legs. 15. Having therefore had experience 
in my own person, whenever afterwards I saw 
any other sitting down and indulging in sloth, I 
drove him on ; for motion and manful exertion 
created a certain warmth and suppleness, but sit- 



228 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. V. 

ting and inaction, I observed, contributed to the 
congealing of the blood, and the mortification of 
the toes, which you know that many have 
suffered. 16. Others, perhaps, who had loitered 
behind from indolence, and who hindered both 
you who were in front, and us who were in the 
rear, from advancing, I may have struck with 
my fist, that they might not be struck with the 
spear of the enemy. 17. Those, therefore, who 
have thus been preserved, may now, if they have 
suffered anything from me contrary to justice, 
obtain redress ; but if they had fallen into the 
hands of the enemy, what injury could they have 
suffered of such magnitude, as that they would 
ever have claimed to get satisfaction for it ! 18. 
My case," he proceeded, " is plain ; for if I have 
punished any one for his good, I am willing to 
make such atonement as parents make to their 
children and masters to their scholars. Sur- 
geons, too, cut and cauterize for the good of their 
patients. 19. But if you imagine that I acted 
thus from a love of tyranny, consider that I have 
now, through the favour of the gods, more spirit 
than I had then, and am bolder now than I then 
was, and drink a greater quantity of wine, and 
yet strike no one ; for I see you now in a calm ; 
20. but when a storm rises, and a great sea sets 
in, do you not observe that the commander in 
the prow, even for a mere nod, is angry with 
those in the fore-part of the vessel, and the 
steersman angry with those in the stern, because, 
in such circumstances, even small mistakes are 
sufficient to ruin everything? 21. Even you 
yourselves, however, have pronounced that I 






CH. 8.] XENOPHON REPLIES. 229 

struck these men, on those occasions, with jus- 
tice, for you stood by with swords, not voting- 
pebbles, in your hands, and might have taken 
their part if you had thought proper. Bat, by 
Jupiter, you neither took their part, nor joined 
with me in punishing the disorderly ; 22. and 
you have in consequence, by letting them alone, 
given encouragement to the bad among them to 
grow audacious; for you will find, I think, if 
you will but examine, that those who were then 
the worst, are now the most audacious charac- 
ters. 23. Boiscus, for instance, the Thessalian 
boxer, strove earnestly, on pretence of sickness, 
not to carry his shield ; and now, as I hear, he 
has robbed many of the people of Cotyora. 24. 
If therefore you are wise, you will treat this 
man in a way, the reverse of that in which they 
treat dogs ; for dogs, when they are spiteful, men 
tie up in the day, and let loose in the night ; but 
him, if you exercise your judgment, you will tie 
up in the night, and let loose only by day. 25. 
But I wonder," he added, " why, if I gave 
offence to any of you, you bear it in mind, and 
do not fail to speak of it, while, if I relieved any 
of you during the cold, or kept off any enemy 
from you, or supplied any of you, in any way, 
when sick and in want, no one makes mention 
of these services ; nor, if I have commended any 
one for good conduct in any case, or have hon- 
oured any man, as far as I could, for valiant 
exertion, does any of you remember these occur- 
rences. 26. Yet is it more honourable, and just, 
and upright, and pleasing, to treasure in the 
memory good acts than bad." 



230 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

They accordingly rose up, and called to mind 
his services ; and the result was that things were 
settled satisfactorily. 



BOOK VI 



CHAPTER I 

The Greeks receive an embassy from the satrap of Paphlago- 
nia, with whom they make peace. They sail from Cotyora 
to Sinope, where they determine to elect a commander-in- 
chief, and fix upon Xenophon, who declines the office ; and 
they then choose Cheirisophus, who Ifad just returned with 
vessels from Anaxibius. 

l. From this time the Greeks, during their 
stay here, subsisted partly by purchasing pro- 
visions, and partly by plundering the country of 
Paphlagonia ; while the Paphlagonians, on their 
part, secretly intercepted, and with great adroit- 
ness, the straggling soldiers, and made attempts, 
during the night, to annoy those who were 
encamped at the out-posts. In consequence of 
these proceedings they conceived the most hostile 
feelings toward each other. 2. Corylas, how- 
ever, who was then governor of Paphlagonia, 
sent deputies to the Greeks with horses and 
beautiful robes, to say that " Corylas was desir- 
ous neither to injure the Greeks nor to receive 
injury from them." 3. The generals replied, 
that " they would consider of the matter with 
the army ; " but received them, at the same 



CH. 1.] A FEAST AND DANCING. 231 

time, with hospitality, and invited such of the 
officers as they thought most eligible to meet 
them ; 4. when, having killed some of the oxen 
that the}^ had captured, and other cattle, they set 
before them a plentiful entertainment, of which 
they partook reclining on mats made of grass, 
and drank out of horn cups which they had 
found in the country. 

5. As soon as the libations were over, and they 
had sung the psean, two Thracians rose up, and 
danced in full armour, to the sound of a pipe ; 
they leaped very high, and with great agility, and 
wielded their swords ; and at last one struck the 
other, in such a manner that every one thought 
he had killed him, 6. (he fell, however, artfully,) 
and the Paphlagonians cried out ; the other, hav- 
ing despoiled him of his arms, went out singing 
the Sitalces ; while other Thracians carried off 
the man as if he had been dead ; though indeed 
he had suffered no hurt. 7. Afterwards some 
.ZEnians and Magnesians stood up, and danced 
what they call the Carpaean dance, in heavy 
arms. 8. The nature of the dance was as 
follows. One man, having laid aside his arms, 
sows, and drives a yoke of oxen, frequently turn- 
ing to look back as if he were afraid. A robber 
then approaches, and the other man, when he 
perceives him, snatches up his arms and runs to 
meet him, and fights with him in defence of his 
yoke of oxen ; (and the men acted all this keep- 
ing time to the pipe ;) but at last the robber, 
binding the other man, leads him off with his 
oxen. Sometimes, however, the ploughman 
binds the robber, and then, having fastened him 



232 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

to his oxen, drives him off with his hands tied 
behind him. 

9. Next came forward a Mysian, with a light 
shield in each hand, and danced, sometimes act- 
ing as if two adversaries were attacking him ; 
sometimes he used his shields as if engaged with 
only one ; sometimes he whirled about, and 
threw a summerset, still keeping the shields in 
his hards, presenting an interesting spectacle. 
10. At last he danced the Persian dance, clash- 
ing his shields together, sinking on his knees, 
and rising again ; and all this he performed in 
time to the pipe. 

11. After him some Mantineans, and others of 
the Arcadians, coming forward and taking their 
stand, armed as handsomely as they could equip 
themselves, moved along in time, accompanied 
by a pipe tuned for the war-movement, and sung 
the paean, and danced in the same manner as in 
the processions to the gods. The Paphlagonians, 
looking on, testified their astonishment that all 
the dances were performed in armour. 12. The 
Mysian, observing that they were surprised at 
the exhibition, and prevailing on one of the 
Arcadians, who had a female dancer, to let her 
come in, brought her forward, equipping her as 
handsomely as he could, and giving her a light 
buckler. She danced the Pyrrhic dance with 
great agility, and a general clapping followed; 
13. and the Paphlagonians asked whether the 
women fought along with the men ; when they 
replied that it was the women who had driven 
the king from his camp. This was the conclu- 
sion of the entertainments for that night. 



CH. 1.] GREEKS SET SAIL. 233 

14. Next day the generals brought the depu- 
ties before the army ; and it was resolved by the 
soldiers that " they would neither injure the 
Paphlagonians nor suffer any injury from them." 
The deputies then took their departure ; and the 
Greeks, as a sufficient number of ships seemed 
to be ready, went on board, and sailed all that 
day and the following night, with a fair wind, 
keeping Paphlagonia on the left ; 15. and the 
day after, they arrived at Sinope, and cast anchor 
in Harmene, the harbour of that city. The 
Sinopeans are situate in the Paphlagonian terri- 
tory, but are colonists of the Milesians. They 
sent the Greeks, as a mark of hospitality, three 
thousand medimni of flour, and fifteen hundred 
ceramia of wine. 16. Here Cheirisophus now 
arrived with some galleys : the soldiers expected 
that he was bringing them something ; but he 
brought them nothing. He announced how- 
ever that Anaxibius the admiral, and the rest of 
the Lacedaemonians, gave them great praise ; and 
that Anaxibius engaged, if they would come 
away from the Euxine, that they should have 
pay. 

17. The troops stayed five days at Harmene ; 
and as they considered that tt jy were now near 
Greece, it became an object with them, even 
more than before, to return home with some 
booty in their possession. 18. And they thought 
that, if they made choice of one general, that 
single person would be better able to manage 
the army, whether by night or day, than it was 
managed under the existing government of 
several ; so that if it should be necessary for 



234 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

them, in any case, to conceal their designs, they 
would be concealed more effectually, and if to 
anticipate the movements of the enemy, they 
would be less likely to be behind-hand ; as there 
would then be no need of conferences, but what- 
ever was determined by the one commander 
would be put in execution ; whereas the generals 
had hitherto done everything by the vote of the 
majority. 19. While they were contemplating 
this scheme, they turned their thoughts to Xeno- 
phon ; and the captains came to him and said 
that the army was of this opinion, and each, 
expressing his good-will towards him, endeav- 
oured to induce him to undertake the command. 
20. Xenophon was in some degree inclined to 
listen to the proposal, when he reflected that, by 
this means, greater honour would fall to him, 
that his name would reach his friends and his 
country with greater glory, and that possibly he 
might also be the cause of some advantage to the 
army. 21. Such considerations influenced him 
to desire to become commander-in-chief. But 
when, on the other hand, he remembered how 
uncertain it is to all men what the future will 
produce, and that, consequently, he -yould be in 
danger of losing the reputation which he had 
already acquired, he felt uncertain how to act. 

22. While he was perplexed as to his decision, 
it appeared to him that the best thing that he 
could do was to lay the matter before the gods ; 
and having placed by the altar two victims, he 
sacrificed to Jupiter the King, who had been 
pointed out to him as the god that he should 
consult, by the oracle at Delphi ; and he thought 



CH. 1.] XENOPHON SACRIFICES. 235 

that he had received from that god the dream 
which he saw, when he was first appointed to 
take charge of the army. 23. He called to mind 
also, that when he was going from Ephesus to 
join Cyrus, an eagle cried on his right, in a sit- 
ting posture however, which, as the augur, who 
accompanied him, said, was an omen portending 
something great, above the fortunes of a private 
individual ; foretelling what was honourable, but 
toilsome, since other birds attack the eagle 
chiefly when sitting ; and he added that the 
omen was not at all indicative of gain, as the 
eagle mostly secured prey when flying. 24. 
While he was sacrificing on the present occasion, 
the god clearly directed him not to seek any 
additional command, and not to accept it if they 
should elect him ; and this was the issue of the 
matter. 25. The army however came together, 
and all suggested that one commander should be 
chosen ; and, as it was resolved to do so, they 
proposed Xenophon. As it seemed evident too 
that they would elect him, if any one should put 
it to the vote, he rose up and spoke as follows : 
26. "My fellow-soldiers, I am delighted, as I 
have the feelings of a man, at receiving honour 
from you, and am grateful for it, and pray that 
the gods may grant me to be the author of some 
advantage to you ; but that I should be preferred 
to be your leader, when a Lacedaemonian is 
present, appears likely to be of no advantage 
either to you or me ; on the contrary, it seems 
probable that if you should require assistance 
from them, you would on this very account be 
less likely to obtain it. I moreover think such 



236 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

dignity by no means safe for me ; 27. for I see 
that the Lacedaemonians never ceased making 
war on my country until they made the whole 
people acknowledge that the Lacedaemonians 
were masters of them as well as of others ; 28. 
though, when they made this confession, they at 
once desisted from hostilities, and no longer 
besieged the city. If therefore, seeing this state 
of things, I should seem, where I have the power, 
to render their supremacy uninfluential, I am 
apprehensive; lest I should Yery soon be reminded 
of my duty. 29. As to your opinion, that there 
will be less faction among you under one com- 
mander than under many, be assured that, if you 
choose another, you will not find me factious ; 
for I consider that he who in war quarrels with 
his commander, quarrels with his own safety, 
whereas, if you should elect me, I should not 
wonder if you should find people show resent- 
ment against both you and myself." 

30. After he had thus spoken, far more per- 
sons than before rose up, and said that he ought 
to take upon him the command. Agasias of 
Stymphalus said that it would be ridiculous if 
things should be in such a state, since the 
Lacedaemonians mi^ht then be enraged even if a 
party met to sup together did not choose a 
Lacedaemonian as president of their banquet. 
"If such be the case," added he, "it is not 
proper even for us, it would seem, to be captains, 
because we are Arcadians." Upon this the 
assembly showed by a murmur their opinion that 
Agasias had spoken well. 

31. Xenophon, seeing that there was need of 



CH. 1.] CHEIRISOPHUS CHOSEN COMMANDER. 237 

something additional on his part, came forward 
and said, u But, my fellow-soldiers, that you may 
be fully informed on this subject, I swear to you 
by aH the gods and goddesses, that after I learned 
your inclination, I sought to ascertain by sacri- 
fice whether it would be better for you to confer 
this command upon me, and for me to undertake 
it, or not ; and they gave me such manifest signs, 
by the victims, that even an untaught person 
would have understood that I ought to decline 
the command." 32. They in consequence chose 
Cheirisophus, who, when he was elected, stood 
forward and said, " Be assured of this, my fellow- 
soldiers, that I should have made no factious 
opposition, if you had chosen another. How- 
ever," added he, " you have done a service to 
Xenophon by not electing him, as Dexippus has 
recently been accusing him to Anaxibius, as far 
as he could, although I tried as much as possible 
to silence him. Dexippus also said that he 
thought Xenophon would rather be joined in 
command with Timasion, a Dardanian, over the 
army of Clearchus, than with himself, a Lace- 
daemonian. 33. But," he continued, " since you 
have chosen me, I will endeavour, on my part, 
to do you all the service that I can. Prepare 
yourselves, accordingly, to sail to-morrow, if it 
be weather for sailing. Our course will be for 
Heraclea, and it is incumbent on you all to do 
your utmost to reach it. Of other matters we 
will consider when we have arrived there." 



238 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 



CHAPTER II. 

The Greeks sail to Heraclea, where disagreements arise among 
them, and they separate into three parties ; one, the most 
numerous, formed of Arcadians and Achieans, who create 
for themselves ten captains ; a second attached to Cheiris- 
oplms ; and a third to Xenophon. 

l. Weighing anchor from hence the next day, 
they sailed with a fair wind along the coast for 
two days. In their course they saw the Beach 
of Jason, where the Argo is said to have been 
moored ; and the mouths of certain rivers, first 
that of the Thermodon, then that of the Iris, next 
that of the Halys, and finally that of the Par- 
thenius. After sailing by the last, they arrived 
at Heraclea, a Greek city, a colony of Megara, 
situate in the territory of the Maryandyni. 2. 
They came to anchor near the Acherusian 
Peninsula, where Hercules is said to have gone 
down to bring up the dog Cerberus, and where 
they now show marks of his descent to the depth 
of more than two stadia. 3. The people of 
Heraclea sent the Greeks, as tokens of hospi- 
tality, three thousand medimni of barley-meal, 
and two thousand ceramia of wine, with twenty 
oxen and a hundred sheep. Here a river named 
Lycus runs through the plain, in breadth about 
two hundred feet. 

4. The soldiers, assembling together, began to 
deliberate, with regard to the rest of the way, 
whether it were proper to proceed by land or 
sea, until they were beyond the Euxine. Lycon, 
an Achsean, rising up, said, " I wonder at the 
generals, my fellow-soldiers, for not endeavouring 



CH. 2.] PROVISIONS DEMANDED. 239 

to procure us money to buy provisions ; for the 
presents received will not furnish subsistence to 
the army for three days ; nor is there any place 
from whence we can get provisions as we proceed 
on our journey. It appears to me, therefore, 
that we ought to ask of the people of Heraclea 
not less than three thousand Cyzicene staters." 
5. Another exclaimed, " Not less than ten thou- 
sand," and proposed that, having chosen depu- 
ties, we should send them at once to the city, 
while we were sitting there, and hear what 
report they brought, and take measures accord- 
ingly. 6. They then proposed, as deputies, first 
Cheirisophus, because he was general-in-chief, 
and others then named Xenophon ; but both 
resolutely refused ; for they concurred in opinion 
that they 'ought not to compel a Greek city, and 
one in friendship with them, to supply them with 
anything that the inhabitants did not offer of 
their own accord. 7. As they showed them- 
selves resolved, therefore, not to go, the army 
sent Lycon the Achaean, Callimachus a Parrha- 
sian, and Agasias of Stymphalus ; who, going to 
the town, informed the people of the resolutions 
just passed. It was said, too, that Lycon even 
threatened them with violence, if they did not 
comply with these demands. 8. The Heracleans 
listened to them, and said that they would con- 
sider of the matter, and then immediately col- 
lected their property out of the fields, and con- 
veyed the provisions exposed for sale into the 
city. At the same time the gates were shut, and 
armed men appeared upon the walls. 

9. In consequence, the authors of these dis- 



240 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

sensions accused the generals of having defeated 
their plan ; and the Arcadians and Achaeans 
began to hold meetings together, Callimachus 
the Parrhasian and Lycon the Achaean being 
mostly at their head. 10. The remarks among 
them were, that it was disgraceful that one 
Athenian, who had brought no force to the army, 
should have the command of Peloponnesians and 
Lacedaemonians ; that they had the labour, and 
others the profit, although they themselves had 
secured the general safety ; for that those who 
had accomplished this object were Arcadians and 
Achaean s, and that the rest of the army was com- 
paratively nothing; (and in reality more than 
half the army were Arcadians and Achaeans ;) 
11. and therefore these, they said, if they were 
wise, should unite together, and, choosing leaders 
for themselves, should proceed on their way 
separately, and endeavour to secure themselves 
something to their profit. 12. To this proposal 
assent was given ; and whatever Arcadians and 
Achaeans were with Cheirisophus, leaving him 
and Xenophon, united with the rest, and all chose 
ten captains of their own ; and they appointed 
that these should carry into execution whatever 
should be decided by the vote of the majority. 
The command of Cheirisophus over the whole 
army was thus ended on the sixth or seventh day 
after he had been elected. 

13. Xenophon was inclined to pursue his way 
in company with them, thinking that this method 
would be safer than for each to proceed sepa- 
rately. But Neon persuaded him to go by him- 
self, as having heard from Cheirisophus that 



CH. 2.] ARMY DIVIDES. 241 

Oleander the governor of Byzantium had said 
that he would come with some galleys to the 
harbour of Calpe ; 14. and he gave Xenophon 
this advice, therefore, in order that no one else 
might take advantage of this opportunity, but 
that they themselves only, and their own soldiers, 
might sail on board these galleys. As for 
Cheirisophus, who was both disheartened at 
what had occurred, and who from that time con- 
ceived a disgust at the army, he allowed Xeno- 
phon to act as he thought proper. 15. Xenophon 
was also inclined to detach himself from the army 
altogether, and to sail away ; but as he was sacri- 
ficing to Hercules the Conductor, and consulting 
him whether it would be better and more advis- 
able to march in company with such of the 
soldiers as remained, or to take leave of them, 
the god signified by the victims that he should 
march with them. 16. The army was thus 
divided into three bodies ; the Arcadians and 
Achaeans, to the number of more than four thou- 
sand five hundred men, all heavy-armed ; the 
heavy-armed with Cheirisophus, in number four- 
teen hundred, with seven hundred peltasts, the 
Thracians of Clearchus ; and seventeen hundred 
heavy-armed men, with three hundred peltasts, 
mder Xenophon, who was the only one that had 
my cavalry, a body of about forty horsemen. 

17. The Arcadians, having procured ships 
from the people of Heraclea, were the first to 
set sail, with the view of getting as much booty 
as they could by making a sudden descent upon 
the Bithynians, and accordingly disembarked at 
the harbour of Calpe, somewhere about the 



242 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

middle of Thrace. 18. Cheirisophus, proceeding 
straight from the city of Heraclea, marched 
through the territory belonging to it ; but when 
he entered Thrace, he kept along near the sea, 
for he was then in ill-health. 19. Xenophon, 
having obtained vessels, landed on the confines 
of Thrace and the region of Heraclea, and pur- 
sued his way through the inland parts. 



CHAPTER III. 



The Arcadians land at Calpe, and make an incursion into the 
territory of the Bithynians, where they are defeated by the 
enemy, and in danger of being cut to pieces ; Xenophon pro- 
ceeds to rescue them. All the Greeks join Cheirisophus at 
Calpe. 

l. Each of these three parties fared as fol- 
lows. The Arcadians, disembarking by night at 
the port of Calpe, marched off to attack the 
nearest villages, lying about thirty stadia from 
the sea. As soon as it was light, each of the 
officers led his own division against a village ; 
but against any village that appeared larger than 
the rest, they led two divisions together. 2. They 
fixed also upon a hill on which they were all to 
re-assemble. As they fell upon the people un- 
expectedly, they seized a great number of slaves 
and surrounded several flocks of cattle. 

4. But the Thracians, as fast as they escaped, 
collected themselves into a body ; and, as they 
were light-armed, the number that escaped, even 
from the very hands of the heavy-armed men, 
was great. As soon as they were collected, they 



CH. 3.] ARCADIANS SURROUNDED. 243 

proceeded, in the first place, to fall upon the 
division of Smicres, one of the Arcadian captains, 
who was marching away to the place agreed 
upon, and carrying with him considerable booty. 
5. For a while the Greeks defended themselves 
as they pursued their march, but, as they were 
crossing a ravine, the Thracians put them to the 
rout, and killed Smicres and all his party. Of 
another division of the ten captains, too, that of 
Hegesander, they left only eight men alive, 
Hegesander himself being one of those that 
escaped. 6. The other captains joined him at the 
appointed spot, some with difficulty, and others 
without any. The Thracians, however, in con- 
sequence of having met with this success, cheered 
on one another, and assembled in great spirits 
during the night. At day-break, numbers of 
horsemen and peltasts ranged themselves in a 
circle round the hill upon which the Greeks had 
encamped ; 7. and as more came flocking to 
them, they attacked the heavy-armed men with- 
out danger, for the Greeks had neither archers, 
nor javelin-men, nor a single horseman, while 
the Thracians, running and riding up, hurled 
their darts among them, and when the Greeks 
offered to attack them, retreated with ease. 
8. Some attempted one part, and some another; 
and many of the assailed were wounded, but 
none of the assailants. The Greeks were in 
consequence unable to move from the spot, and 
at last the Thracians cut them off even from 
water. 9. As their distress was great, they 
began to speak of terms of surrender ; and other 
points were agreed upon between them, but 



244 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

when the Greeks demanded hostages, the Thra- 
cians refused to give them ; and upon this the 
treaty was stopped. Such were the fortunes of 
the Arcadians. 

10. Cheirisophus, meanwhile, advancing un- 
molested along the coast, arrived at the harbour 
of Calpe. As for Xenophon, while he was 
marching through the middle of the country, his 
horsemen, riding on before him, fell in with some 
ambassadors who were on their journey to some 
place. As they were conducted to Xenophon, 
he inquired of them whether they had anywhere 
heard of another Greek army. 11. They gave 
him, in reply, an account of all that had occurred, 
saying that the Greeks were then besieged upon 
a hill, and that the whole force of the Thracians 
was collected round them. He therefore had 
these men strictly guarded, that they might act 
as guides wherever it might be necessary, and 
then, after stationing scouts, he called together 
his soldiers and addressed them thus : 

12. " Soldiers, some of the Arcadians are 
killed, and others are besieged upon a hill; and 
I think that, if they are destroyed, there will be 
no hope of safety for us, the enemy being so 
numerous and so daring. 13. It seems best for 
us, therefore, to march to their relief with all 
possible speed, that, if they still survive, we may 
join with them in their struggle, and not, being 
left alone, meet danger alone. 14. Let us for 
the present, then, pitch our camp, marching on, 
however, until it seems time to sup, and whilst 
we are on the march, let Timasion, with the 
horse, ride on before, but keeping us still in 



CH. 3.] XENOPHON SENDS SCOUTS. 245 

sight, and let him reconnoitre the country in 
front, that nothing may take us by surprise." 
15. He despatched, at the same time, some of 
the most active of the light-armed men to the 
parts on either flank, and to the hills, that if 
they saw anything threatening in any quarter, 
they might give notice of it. He ordered them 
also to burn whatever combustible matter they 
met with ; 16. " for/' said he, u we could not 
flee from hence to any place of refuge ; since it 
is a long way to go back to Heraclea, and a long 
way' to go over to Chrysopolis ; and the enemy 
are close at hand. To the harbour of Calpe, 
indeed, where we suppose Cheirisophus to be, if 
he is safe, the distance is but short ; but even 
there, there are neither vessels in which we can 
sail from the place, nor subsistence, if we remain, 
even for a single day. 17. Should those who are 
besieged, however, be left to perish, it will be 
less advantageous for us to face danger in con- 
junction with the troops of Cheirisophus only, 
than, if the besieged are preserved, to unite all 
our forces, and struggle for our safety together. 
But we must go resolved in mind that we have 
now either to die gloriously, or achieve a most 
honourable exploit in the preservation of so 
many Greeks. 18. Perhaps some divinity orders 
it thus, who wishes to humble those that spoke 
boastfully, as if they were superior to us in wis- 
dom, and to render us, who commence all our 
proceedings by consulting the gods, more hon- 
oured than they are. You must follow, then, 
your leaders, and pay attention to them, that you 
may be ready to execute what they order." 



246 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [B. VL 

19. Having spoken thus, he led them forward. 
The cavalry, scattering themselves about as far 
as was safe, spread lire wherever they went, 
while the peltasts, marching abreast of them 
along the heights, burned whatever they found 
that was combustible, as did the main body also, 
if they met with anything left unburned by the 
others ; so that the whole country seemed to be 
on fire, and the Greek force to be very numer- 
ous. 20. As soon as it was time, they mounted 
a hill and encamped, when they caught sight of 
the enemy's fires, which were distant about forty 
stadia; and they themselves then made as many 
fires as they could. 21. But as soon as they had 
supped, orders were given to put out all the 
fires ; and, having appointed sentinels, they went 
to sleep for the night. At dawn of day, after 
praying to the gods, and arranging themselves 
for battle, they continued their march with as 
much haste as they could. 22. Timasion and 
the cavalry, taking the guides with them, and 
riding on before the rest, found themselves, 
before they were aware, upon the hill where the 
Greeks had been besieged, but saw no troops, 
either of friends or enemies, but only some old 
men and women, and a few sheep and oxen that 
had been left behind; and this state of things 
they reported to Xenophon and the army. 
23. At first they wondered what could have 
happened ; but at length they learned from the 
people who were left that the Thracians had 
gone off at the close of the evening and the 
Greeks in the morning, but whither they did not 
know. 



CH. 4.] ENEMY RETREATS. 247 

24. Xenophon and his party, on hearing this 
account, packed up their baggage, after they had 
breakfasted, and pursued their journey, wishing, 
as soon as possible, to join the rest of the Greeks 
at the harbour of Calpe. As they proceeded, 
they perceived the track of the Arcadians and 
Achaeans on the way to Calpe ; and when they 
met, they were pleased to see one another, and 
embraced like brothers. 25. The Arcadians then 
asked Xenophon's men why they had put out 
their fires, " for we," said they, ik thought at first, 
when we saw no more fires, that you were com- 
ing to attack the enemy in the night ; (and the 
enemy themselves, as they appeared to us, went 
off under this apprehension, for they disappeared 
about that time ;) 26. but as you did not come, 
and the time passed by, we concluded that you, 
hearing of our situation, had been seized with 
alarm, and had retreated to the sea-coast; and 
we determined not to be far behind you. Accord- 
ingly we also marched in this direction. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Description of Calpe. The army resolve that it shall be a 
capital offence to propose another separation. Neon leads 
out a party of two thousand men to get provisions, contrary 
to the omens ; he is attacked by Pharnabazus, and obliged 
to retire with the loss of five hundred men. Xenophon 
covers his retreat. 

l. This day they remained encamped upon the 
shore near the port. The spot which is called 
the harbour of Calpe, is situate in Asiatic 



248 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

Thrace ; and this division of Thrace, beginning 
from the mouth of the Euxine Sea, extends on 
the right of a person sailing into the Euxine, 
as far as Heraclea. 2. From Byzantium to 
Heraclea it is a long day's passage for a galley 
with oars ; and in the space between these cities 
there is no other town belonging to the Greeks 
or their allies ; but the Bithynian Thracians 
occupy it; aud whatever Greeks they capture, 
cast ashore by shipwreck or any other accident, 
they are said to treat with great cruelty. 3. The 
harbour of Calpe itself lies half-way between 
Heraclea and Byzantium, as people sail from 
either side. On the sea there is a promontory 
jutting out ; that part of it which reaches down 
into the water is a steep rock, in height, where it 
is lowest, not less than twenty fathoms ; the neck 
of the promontory, which reaches up to the main- 
land, is in breadth about four hundred feet ; and 
the space within the neck is large enough to 
afford accommodation for ten thousand men. 
4. The harbour lies close under the rock, with 
its coast toward the west. A spring of fresh 
water, flowing copiously, is close by the sea, and 
under cover of the promontory. Abundance of 
wood, of various other sorts, but especially of 
such as is good for ship-building, grows along the 
coast. 5. The mountain at the harbour extends 
inland about twenty stadia, and this part of it has 
a soil of mould, free from stones ; the other part 
along the sea, to the distance of more than twenty 
stadia, is covered with plenty of large trees of 
every kind. 6. The surrounding country is 
beautiful and of great extent, and there are in it 



CH. 4.] ARCADIANS BURY THE DEAD. 249 

many populous villages ; for the soil produces 
barley, wheat, all kinds of leguminous vegeta- 
bles, millet, sesame, figs in abundance, plenty of 
vines yielding a sweet wine, and everything else 
but olive-trees. 7. Such is the nature of the 
country. 

The Greeks took up their quarters on the 
shore by the sea. In the part which might have 
been ground for a city they were unwilling to 
encamp ; for even their approach to it appeared 
to have been the effect of some insidious design, 
from the belief that certain persons were desir- 
ous to found a city there. 8. For most of the 
soldiers had sailed from home upon this service, 
not from want of subsistence, but from having 
heard of the merit of Cyrus, some even bringing 
men with them, others having spent money on 
the enterprise, others having left their fathers 
and mothers, others their children, in hope of 
returning when they had collected money for 
them, for they heard that other Greeks who 
were with Cyrus were acquiring considerable 
wealth. Being men of such character, they 
longed to return in safetv to Greece. 

9. When the day after their meeting together 
began to dawn, Xenophon offered sacrifice with 
regard to an expedition, for it was necessary to 
lead out the troops to get provisions ; and he was 
also thinking of burying the dead. As the vic- 
tims were favourable, the Arcadians also accom- 
panied him, and buried the greatest part of the 
dead where they had severally fallen ; for they 
had now lain five clays, and it was no longer 
possible to bring them away ; some of them how- 



250 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

ever they gathered together out of the roads, and 
buried as becomingly as they could with the 
means at their command ; while for those whom 
they could not find they erected a large cenotaph, 
[with a great funeral pile,] and put garlands 
upon it. 10. Having performed these rites, they 
returned to their camp, and, after they had 
supped, went to rest. 

Next day all the soldiers held a meeting; 
(Agasias of Stymphalus, one of the captains, and 
Hieronymus of Elis, also a captain, and others, 
the oldest of the Arcadian officers, were the most 
active in bringing them together;) 11. and they 
passed a resolution, that if any one for the future 
should propose to divide the army, he should be 
punished with death ; and that the army should 
return homewards in the same order in which it 
was before, and that the former leaders should 
resume the command. Cheirisophus was now 
dead, from having taken some drug during a 
fever; and Neon of Asina took his place. 

12. After this Xenophon stood up and said, 
u It seems evident, fellow-soldiers, that we must 
pursue our journey by land, for we have no 
ships ; and it is necessary for us to set out at 
once, for there are no provisions for us if we 
remain. We will therefore," he continued, 
" offer sacrifice ; and you must prepare your- 
selves, if ever you did so, to fight ; for the enemy 
have recovered their spirit." 13. The generals 
then offered sacrifice ; and Arexion the Arcadian 
assisted as augur ; for Silanus of Ambracia had 
already fled, having hired a vessel from Heraclea. 
They sacrificed with a view to their departure, 



CH. 4.] UNFAVOURABLE SACRIFICES. 251 

but the victims were not favourable. 14. This 
day therefore they rested. Some had the bold- 
ness to say that Xenophon, from a desire to 
settle a colony in the place, had prevailed on the 
augur to say that the victims were unfavourable 
to their departure. 15. Xenophon, in conse- 
quence, having made proclamation that whoever 
wished might be present at a sacrifice on the 
morrow, and having given notice also, that if 
there was any augur among the soldiers, he 
should attend to inspect the victims with them, 
made another sacrifice, and a great number of 
persons were present at it ; 16. but though they 
sacrificed again three times with reference to 
their departure, the victims were still unfavour- 
able to it. The soldiers were on this account 
extremely uneasy, for the provisions which they 
had brought with them were exhausted, and 
there was no place near for them to purchase 
any. 

17. They therefore held another meeting, and 
Xenophon said, " The victims, as you see, fellow- 
soldiers, are not yet favourable for our departure ; 
and I see that you are in want of provisions. It 
seems to me necessary, therefore, to offer sacri- 
fice with regard to this matter." 18. Here some 
one rose up and said, " It is with good reason, 
indeed, that the victims are unfavourable; for, 
as I heard from a person belonging to a vessel 
that came in 3^esterday by accident, Oleander, the 
governor of Byzantium, is on the point of coming 
hither with transport vessels and galleys." 19. 
In consequence they all resolved to stay. But 
it was necessary to go out for provisions ; and to 



252 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

this end sacrifice was again offered three times, 
but the victims were still unfavourable. 

The soldiers now came to Xenophon's tent, 
and told him that they had no provisions. He 
however replied, that he would not lead them 
out while the victims were adverse. 20. The 
next day sacrifice was offered again, and, as all 
were concerned, almost the whole army crowded 
around the sacrifice ; and the victims fell short. 
Still the generals did not lead out the troops, but 
called them, however, together; 21. and Xeno- 
phon said, " Perhaps the enemy may be assem- 
bled in a body, and it may be necessary for us to 
fight: if, therefore, leaving our baggage in the 
strong part of the ground, we march out pre- 
pared for battle, the victims may possibly prove 
more favourable to us." 22. But the soldiers, on 
hearing this observation, cried out that it was of 
no use to lead them to the part that he men- 
tioned, but that they ought to sacrifice without 
delay. Sheep were no longer to be had, but 
they bought an ox that was yoked to a waggon, 
and sacrificed it ; and Xenophon begged Cleanor 
the Arcadian to be on the alert if anything in 
the sacrifice should appear propitious. But not 
even on this occasion were the signs favourable. 

23. Neon was now general in the place of 
Cheirisophus, and when he saw how the men 
were suffering from want of food, was desirous 
to get them relief, and having found a man of 
Heraclea, who said that he knew of some villages 
in the neighbourhood, from which it might be 
possible to procure provisions, he made procla- 
mation that whoever was willing might go out to 



CH. 4.] GREEKS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. 253 

get a supply as there would be a guide to con- 
duct them. A party accordingly proceeded from 
the camp, to the number of two thousand, 
equipped with spears, leather bags, sacks, and 
other things for holding what they might find. 
24. But when they had reached the villages, and 
had dispersed themselves to plunder, the cavalry 
of Pharnabazus first fell upon them, for they 
had come to aid the Bithynians, designing, if 
they could, in conjunction with them, to prevent 
the Greeks from penetrating into Phrygia. 
These horsemen cut off not less than five hun- 
dred of the Greeks ; the rest fled to the 
mountain. 

25. One of those who escaped immediately 
carried the news of the occurrence to the camp ; 
and Xenophon, as the victims had not been pro- 
pitious that day, took an ox from a waggon, (for 
there were no other cattle,) and, after sacrificing 
it, went forth to give aid, with all the other 
soldiers not above thirty years of age. 26. They 
brought off the rest of the party, and returned 
to the camp. 

It was now about sunset, and the Greeks were 
taking their supper in great despondency, when 
some of the Bithynians, coming suddenly upon 
the advanced guard through the thickets, killed 
part of them, and pursued the rest to the camp. 
27. A great outcry arising, all the Greeks ran to 
their arms ; but it did not seem safe to pursue 
the enemy or break up their camp, in the night, 
for the country was full of wood; and they there- 
fore passed the night under arms, covered by 
sufficient out-posts. 



• 



254 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 



CHAPTER V. 

The Greeks, moved by tlieir previous dangers, at length con- 
sent to encamp in the strong part of the ground. Xenophon, 
having sacrificed, and placed a guard in the camp, led out 
the troops, who, after burying the dead that they found on 
the way, and possessing themselves of some booty from the 
villages, perceive the Barbarians posted upon a hill. They 
proceed to attack them, and though obstructed by a valley 
difficult to cross, are animated by the valour and eloquence 
of Xenophon to achieve a successful issue. 

1. In this manner they passed the night. At 
day-break the generals proceeded to the strong 
part of the ground; and the men followed, bring- 
ing with them their arms and baggage. Before 
it was time for dinner, they completed a trench 
on the side where the entrance to the place was, 
and fenced the whole length with palisades, leav- 
ing three gates. A vessel meanwhile had arrived 
from Heraclea, bringing barley-meal, cattle, and 
wine. 

2. Xenophon, rising early, had sacrificed with 
reference to an excursion, and in the first victim 
the omens were favourable. Just as the sacri- 
fice came to a conclusion, Arexion of Parrhasia, 
the augur, saw a lucky eagle, and encouraged 
Xenophon to lead forth. 3. The men, therefore, 
crossing the trench, ranged themselves under 
arms ; and the heralds made proclamation that 
the soldiers, after taking their dinner, should 
march out equipped for battle, and leave the 
camp-followers and slaves where they were. 4. 
All the rest accordingly went out, except Neon ; 
for it was thought best to leave him in guard of 
the people in the camp. But when the captains 
and soldiers had left them, they were ashamed 



CH. 5.] ENCOUNTER WITH BARBARIANS. 255 

not to follow where the others went, and in con- 
sequence left only those who were above forty- 
five years of age ; these therefore remained, and 
the rest went forth. 5. But before they had 
proceeded fifteen stadia, they began to meet with 
dead bodies, and bringing up the rear of their 
line opposite the corpses that were first seen, 
they buried all to which the line extended. 6. 
When they had interred this first set, they 
marched on, and again bringing up their rear 
against the first of those that they next found 
unburied, they buried in like manner as many as 
the line took in. When they came to the road 
that lead to the villages, where the dead bodies 
lay in great numbers, they brought them all to- 
gether and buried them. 

7. It w T as now past mid-day, and having 
marched quite through the villages, the men 
were engaged in taking whatever provisions they 
found within reach of the line, when, on a sud- 
den, they caught sight of the enemy marching 
over some hills that were facing them, disposed 
in a line, consisting of a large number of both 
cavalry and infantry ; for Spithridates and Rath- 
ines had now arrived with a considerable force 
from Pharnabazus. 8. As soon as the enemy 
perceived the Greeks, they halted at the distance 
of about fifteen stadia. Upon this Arexion, the 
augur of the Greeks, immediately offered sacri- 
fice, and in the very first victim the omens were 
favourable. 9. Xenophon then said, "It ap- 
pears to me, fellow-captains, that we ought to 
station some divisions on the watch behind the 
main body, in order that, if it should anywhere 



256 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

be necessary, there may be troops to support 
that body, and that the enemy, when thrown 
into disorder, may be received by men in array 
and full vigour." This proposal was approved 
by all. 10. " Advance then," he continued, " on 
the road towards the enemy, that, since we have 
been seen by them, and have seen them, we may 
not stand still ; and I, after having arranged the 
divisions in the rear, as you have sanctioned, 
will join you." 

11. The others then advanced quietly forward, 
and Xenophon, detaching from the main body 
the three hindmost companies, consisting of 
about two hundred men each, ordered one of 
them to follow on the right, at the distance of 
about a hundred feet behind ; this company 
Samolas the Achaean commanded. The second 
he directed to follow in the centre; this company 
Pyrrhias the Arcadian headed. The other he 
stationed on the left ; this Phrasias the Athenian 
led. 12. As the front line, in marching on, 
came to a woody ravine, of great extent and dif- 
ficult to pass, they halted, not knowing whether 
it were possible to cross it, and passed the word 
for the generals and captains to come to the 
front. 13. Xenophon, wondering what it was 
that stopped their progress, but soon hearing the 
word passed, rode up as fast as he could. When 
the officers came together, Sophasnetus, the old- 
est of the generals, said it was not worth consid- 
eration whether a ravine of such a nature were 
passable or not. 14. But Xenophon, eagerly 
seizing opportunity to speak, said, 

ik You are certain, my fellow-soldiers, that I 



CH. 5.] ADVICE OF XENOPIION. 257 

have never voluntarily brought danger upon you, 
for I see that you do not want reputation for 
valour, but safety. 15. But now the matter 
stands thus with us : it is not possible for us to 
move from hence without fighting ; for if we do 
not advance upon the enemy, the enemy will 
pursue and attack us when we retreat. 16. Con- 
sider, then, whether it is better for us to proceed 
against the foe holding out our arms in front of 
us, or, when we have turned them back, to find 
the enemy following behind us. 17. You know, 
assuredly, that to flee from an enemy has no 
semblance of honour, but that pursuit puts cour- 
age even into cowards. For my own part, I had 
rather pursue with half the number of men than 
retreat with twice as many. As for these ene- 
mies, I know that you yourselves do not expect 
them to make a stand against us, if we charge 
them ; but we are all aware that if we draw back 
they will have courage enough to follow us. 

18. " But that we, by crossing, should place a 
difficult ravine in our rear, when we are going to 
engage, is not this an advantage worth securing? 
As for the enemy, I should wish every spot of 
ground to appear passable to them, so that they 
may retreat ; but it is for us to be instructed by 
the nature of our position that there is no safety 
for us unless we conquer. 19. I wonder, too, 
whether any of us thinks this ravine more for- 
midable than many other places that we have 
passed. 

" How, indeed, will the plain be passable, unless 
we defeat the cavalry ? How will the hills that we 
have traversed be passable, if so many peltasts 



258 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

pursue us? 20. Even if we arrive safe at the 
sea, how large a ravine will the Euxine prove to 
us, where there are neither vessels to convey us 
away, nor provisions to support us if we remain ; 
and the more haste we should make thither, the 
more haste must we make to go out again to find 
subsistence. 21. It is better therefore for us to 
fight now, when we have dined, than to-morrow, 
when we may be without a dinner. The sacri- 
fices, soldiers, are favourable, the omens encour- 
aging, the victims most auspicious. Let us march 
against the foe. Since they have certainly seen 
us, they ought not now to sup at their ease, or 
to encamp where they like." 

22. The captains then bade him lead on, and 
no one made any objection. He accordingly put 
himself at their head, ordering each to cross at 
that part of the ravine where he happened to be ; 
for he thought that the army would thus sooner 
get over the ravine in a body than if they defiled 
over the bridge that lay across it. 23. When 
they had passed over, he said, as he passed along 
the line, " Remember, soldiers, how many bat- 
tles, with the assistance of the gods, you have 
gained by coming to close quarters with the ene- 
my, and how those fare who turn their backs 
upon their adversaries. Reflect also that you 
are at the very gates of Greece. 24. Follow, 
then, Hercules your Conductor, and exhort one 
another by name. It is pleasing to reflect, that 
he who now says and does anything brave and 
honourable, will preserve a remembrance of him- 
self among those with whom he would wish to 
preserve it." 



CH. 5.] GREEKS VICTORIOUS. 259 

25. These exhortations he uttered as he rode 
along, and at the same time proceeded to lead 
forward the troops in column ; and with the 
peltasts on each flank, they marched upon the 
enemy. He gave orders that they should carry 
their spears upon the right shoulder until a sig- 
nal should be given with the trumpet, and that 
then, lowering them for a charge they should 
follow their leaders at a steady pace, and that 
none should advance running. The word was 
immediately after given, Jupiter the Preser- 
ver and Hercules the Conductor. The 
enemy, meanwhile, kept their position, thinking 
that they had the ground in their favour. 26. 
As the Greeks approached them, the peltasts 
shouted, and ran forward to charge them before 
auy one gave orders ; and the enemy rushed to 
meet them, both the horse and the mass of Bi- 
thynians, and put them to flight. 27. But when 
the body of heavy-armed men came up, advancing 
at a quick pace, and when the trumpet sounded, 
and the men sang the pagan and shouted, and 
lowered their spears, the enemy then no longer 
awaited their charge, but took to flight. 28. Ti- 
masion and the cavalry pursued them, and killed 
as many as they could, being but few. The 
enemy's left wing, to which the Greek cavalry 
were opposed, was at once dispersed, but the 
right, not being closely pursued, rallied upon a 
hill. 29. As soon as the Greeks, however, saw 
them making a stand, it appeared to them the 
easiest and safest thing they could do, to charge 
them without delay. Singing the paean, there- 
fore, they immediately advanced upon them ; and 



260 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

the enemy withdrew. The peltasts then pursued 
them till the right wing was also dispersed ; but 
only a small number were killed; for the enemy's 
cavalry, being numerous, kept the Greeks in 
awe. 30. But when they observed the cavalry 
of Pharnabazus still standing in a body, and the 
Bithynian cavalry flocking to join them, and 
looking down from an eminence on what was 
going on, they determined, tired as they were, to 
make an assault upon them as vigorously as pos- 
sible, that they might not take breath and recover 
their courage. 31. Drawing up in close order, 
therefore, they advanced ; when the enemy's 
horse fled down the hill as if they had been pur- 
sued by cavalry ; for there was a valley to re- 
ceive them, of which the Greeks were not aware, 
as they had desisted from the pursuit before they 
reached it, it being now late. 32. Returning 
then to the place where the first encounter oc- 
curred, they erected a trophy, and went off 
towards the sea about sunset. The distance to 
their camp was about sixty stadia. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Greeks plunder Bythnia. Oleander, the Spartan governor 
of Byzantium, arrives, and is prejudiced against the Greeks 
by Dexippus, but reconciled to them by the efforts of Xeno- 
phon. Oleander declines the chief 'command, which is 
offered him, and the army march under their former gen- 
erals through Bythnia to Ohrysopolis. 

l. The enemy now employed themselves about 
their own affairs, and removed their families and 
effects as far off as they could. The Greeks, in 



CH. 6.] GREEKS PLUNDER BYTHNIA. 261 

the mean time, waited for Oleander and the gal- 
leys and transport vessels that were to come, 
and, going out every day with their baggage- 
cattle and slaves, brought in, without fear of 
danger, wheat, barley, wine, leguminous vege- 
tables, millet, and figs ; for the country afforded 
every useful production except olives. 

2. While the army lay at rest in the camp, the 
men had liberty, individually, to go out for spoil, 
and those onlv who went out had a share of it ; 
but when the whole army went out, and any one, 
straggling from the rest, took any booty, it was 
adjudged to be public property. 

3. They had now abundance of everything; 
for provisions for sale were brought from the 
Greek cities in every direction, and people who 
were sailing along the coast, hearing that a city 
was going to be built, and a harbour formed, 
willingly put in there. 4. Such of the enemy, 
too, as lived in the neighbourhood, sent to Xen- 
ophon, hearing that he had the management of 
the intended settlement, to ask what they should 
do in order to become his friends ; and he intro- 
duced them among the soldiers. 

5. Oleander now arrived with two galleys, but 
no transport vessel. At the time of his coming, 
it happened that the body of the army was gone 
out ; while some stragglers, going over the moun- 
tain for plunder, some one way, some another, 
had taken a great number of sheep, and being 
afraid that they would be taken from them, in- 
formed Dexippus of the matter, (the same that 
had run away with the fifty-oared galley from 
Trebisond,) and requested him to keep the sheep 



262 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

for them, taking part for himself, and giving 
them back the rest. 6. Dexippus immediately 
drove off the soldiers that stood round, and who 
said that the sheep were public property, and, 
going to Cleander, told him that they were en- 
deavouring to seize them as plunder for them- 
selves. Cleander desired him to bring whoever 
should seize them before him. 7. Dexippus ac- 
cordingly laid hold on one of the men, and was 
taking him off, when Agasias, meeting him, res- 
cued the man ; the prisoner being a private of 
his own troop. The rest of the soldiers that 
were there began to throw stones at Dexippus, 
calling him again and again, " the traitor." Not 
only he, in consequence, but also many of the 
men belonging to his galleys, were struck with 
terror, and fled towards the sea ; and Cleander 
fled likewise. 8. But Xenophon, and the other 
generals, endeavoured to stop their flight, and 
told Cleander that there was 1 no reason for alarm, 
but that the resolution passed by the army was 
the cause of the occurrence. 9. Cleander, how- 
ever, being instigated by Dexippus, and vexed 
with himself for having shown so much fear, said 
that he would sail off, and make proclamation 
that none of the cities should receive them, as 
being public enemies. The Lacedaemonians were 
at that time masters of all Greece. 

10. This affair appeared to the Greeks to 
threaten evil, and they entreated Cleander not 
to do so ; but he said that it could not be other- 
wise, unless somebody should give up to him the 
man that began to throw stones, and the person 
that rescued him. 11. The person that he wanted 






CH. 6.] SPEECH OF XENOPHON. 263 

was Agasias, the constant friend of Xenophon, 
for which reason Dexippus had accused him. As 
there was much perplexity, therefore, the gen- 
erals called together the soldiers ; and some of 
them made light of Oleander's menaces, but to 
Xenophon the affair appeared of no small impor- 
tance. Rising up, he said, 

12. " It seems to me, soldiers, a matter of no 
trifling moment, if Oleander goes away, as he 
threatens, cherishing these feelings towards us ; 
for the Greek cities are close at hand, the Lace- 
daemonians are the chief people of Greece, and 
each individual Lacedaemonian is able to do what 
he pleases in these cities. 13. If therefore he 
first shuts us out of Byzantium, and then gives 
notice to the other governors not to admit us into 
their cities, as persons refusing obedience to the 
Lacedaemonians and submitting to no law, and 
this character of us reaches the ears of Anaxibius 
the admiral, it will be difficult for us either to re- 
main or to sail away, for at this moment the 
Lacedaemonians are masters both by land and 
sea. 14. We ought not, therefore, for the sake 
of one or two men, to exclude ourselves from 
Greece, but to do whatever they direct ; for the 
cities, from which we come, yield them obedi- 
ence. 15. I, for my own part, (for I hear that 
Dexippus assures Oleander that Agasias would 
have done nothing in the matter if I had not in- 
stigated him,) for my part, I say, I am ready to 
clear you and Agasias from blame, if Agasais 
himself shall say that I was at all the cause of 
these proceedings, and I am prepared to con- 
demn myself, if I encouraged stone-throwing or 



264 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS, [b. VI. 

any other act of violence, as deserving of the 
severest punishment, and that punishment I will 
submit to suffer. 16. I say, too, that if Dexip- 
pus accuses any other person, he ought to sur- 
render himself to Oleander to be tried ; for by 
this means you may be exonerated from all cen- 
sure. Under the present complexion of the 
case, it will be hard, if, when we expect applause 
and honour in Greece, we shall, instead of obtain- 
ing them, be not even on an* equality with the 
rest of our countrymen, but be excluded from 
the Greek cities." 

17. Agasias then stood up and said, "I swear, 
my fellow-soldiers, by all the gods and goddesses, 
that neither Xenophon, nor any other person 
among you, desired me to rescue the man ; but, 
when I saw a brave fellow, one of my own troop, 
led off by Dexippus, (who, you are aware, has 
played the traitor towards you,) it seemed to me, 
I own, intolerable, and I set him free. 18. You 
need not, then, deliver me up, for I will surren- 
der myself, as Xenophon recommends, to Ole- 
ander, to do to me, after having tried me, what- 
ever he pleases. As far as this matter is con- 
cerned, enter into no contention with the Lace- 
daemonians. May each of you return in safety 
to whatever place he would reach ! Make choice, 
however, of some of your own number, and send 
them with me to Oleander, that, if I omit any- 
thing, they may speak and act for me." 19. 
Upon this the army allowed hini to choose 
whomsoever he would, and to go. He chose 
the generals. 

Agasias and the generals, and the man that 



CH. 6.] GENERALS BEFORE OLEANDER. 265 

had been released by Agasias, accordingly pro- 
ceeded to Oleander ; and the generals said, 20. 
a The army has sent us to you, O Oleander, and 
requests that if you accuse them all, you will 
yourself be the judge of them all, and treat them 
as you may think fit ; or, if you accuse one or 
two or more, they think it right that they should 
surrender themselves to you for judgment. If 
therefore you accuse any one of us, we are here 
before you ; if any other, let us know ; for no 
man, who is willing to obey us, shall refuse to 
submit to you." 

21. Agasias next stood forward, and said, " I 
am the person, O Oleander, that rescued this 
man when Dexippus was carrying him off, and 
that incited the men to stone Dexippus ; 22. for 
I knew that the soldier was a deserving man, 
and I knew also that Dexippus, after having 
been chosen by the army to command the galley 
which we begged of the people of Trebisond, for 
the purpose of collecting transport vessels to save 
ourselves, had run away and betrayed the sol- 
diers in common with whom he had preserved 
his life. 23. Through his misconduct, therefore, 
we have both deprived the people of Trebisond 
of their galley, and seem to have acted dishon- 
estly ; and, as far as depended on him, we were 
utterly undone ; for he had heard, as well as we, 
that it would be impracticable for us, going by 
land, to cross the rivers and get safe to Greece. 
24. It was from such a character as this that I 
rescued the man. If you had been leading him. 
away, or any one of those belonging to you, and 
not one of our own deserters, be assured that I 



266 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

should have done nothing of the kind. Consider, 
then, that if you put me to death, you will put 
to death a man of honour for the sake of a cow- 
ard and a villain." 

25. Oleander, on hearing this statement, said 
that he could not approve of the conduct of Dex- 
ippus, if he had acted in such a way, but ob- 
served, at the same time, that even if Dexippus 
were the worst of villains, he ought not to suffer 
any violence, but to be tried, ("as you your- 
selves," said he, "now propose,") and to have 
his deserts. 26. " For the present then," he con- 
tinued, "retire, leaving Agasias with me, and, 
when I give you notice, come to witness his trial. 
I neither accuse the army, nor any one else, 
since Agasias himself confesses that it was he 
who released the man." 27. The man who had 
been released then said, " If you suppose, O 
Oleander, that I was apprehended for doing 
something wrong, be assured that I neither 
struck nor threw stones at any one, but merely 
said that the sheep were public property ; for it 
was a resolution passed by the soldiers, that if, 
when the whole army went out, any particular 
person made any capture by himself, that cap- 
ture should go to the public store. 28. This was 
what I said ; and Dexippus, in consequence, 
seized me and was leading me off, so that no one 
might utter a syllable, but that he himself, secur- 
ing a share of the booty, might keep the rest for 
the plunderers, contrary to the resolution of the 
army. To this Oleander replied, " since you 
are that sort of person, stay here, that we may 
consider respecting you likewise." 



CH. 6,] GENERALS INTERCEDE. 267 

29. Oleander and his party then went to din- 
ner; and Xenophon assembled the troops, and 
advised them to send some persons to Oleander 
to make intercession for the men. 30. They ac- 
cordingly resolved to depute the generals and 
captains, with Dracontius the Spartan, and such 
of the rest as seemed eligible, to entreat Olean- 
der by all means to set the two men free. 31. 
Xenophon, going to him, said, " You have the 
men in your hands, O Oleander, and the army 
has allowed you to do what you please with 
regard both to them and to their whole force. 
They now, however, request and entreat of you 
to give up the two men to them, and not to put 
them to death; for they exerted themselves 
greatly, in time past, to be of service to the 
army. 32. Should they obtain this favour from 
you, they promise you, in return for it, that if 
you are willing to be their leader, and the gods 
are propitious, they will let you see both how 
well-disciplined they are, and .how incapable, 
when obedient to their general, and aided by su- 
perior powers, of fearing an enemy. 33. They 
also beg of you, that when you have come and 
taken the command of them, you will make trial 
of Dexipptis and the rest of them, ascertain what 
sort of person each is, and give every one his 
desert." 

34. Oleander, on hearing this application, re- 
plied, " By the twin gocls, I will give you an 
answer at once. I give up the men to you, and 
will come to you myself ; and, if the gods per- 
mit, I will lead you into Greece. Your words 
are very different from the accounts that I heard 



268 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VI. 

of some of you, namely, that you were alienating 
the army from the Lacedaemonians." 35. The 
deputies then took their leave, applauding Ole- 
ander, and taking with them the two men. 

Oleander offered a sacrifice with reference to 
the journey, and associated in a friendly way 
with Xenophon ; and they contracted a bond of 
hospitality between them. When he saw the 
Greek soldiers, too, execute their orders with 
regularity, he grew still more desirous to become 
their commander. 26. But as the omens were 
not favourable to his wishes, though he offered 
sacrifices three days, he called the generals to- 
gether, and said, " The victims have not been 
favourable for me to lead you out ; but be not 
discouraged on that account ; for it is given to 
you, as it appears, to conduct the army home. 
Proceed then ; and we will receive you at By- 
zantium when vou arrive there, in the best man- 
ner that we can." 37. It was then resolved by 
the soldiers to make him a present of the sheep 
that were public property; and he, having ac- 
cepted them, gave them back to the soldiers 
again, and then sailed off. 

The army, having disposed of the corn which 
they had collected, and the other booty that they 
had captured, advanced through the territory of 
the Bithynians. 38. But as, while they pur- 
sued the straight road, they met with nothing 
to enable them to enter the country of their 
friends with a portion of spoil, they resolved 
upon marching back for a day and a night; 
and, having done so, they took great numbers 
both of slaves and cattle, and arrived, after six 



CH. 1.] GREEKS LURED TO BYZANTIUM. 269 

days' march, at Chrysopolis in Chalcedonia, 
where they stayed seven days to sell their booty. 






BOOK VII. 
CHAPTER I. 

Anaxibius, at the instigation of Pharnabazus, who wishes to 
get the Greeks out of his territory, allures them, with hopes 
of employment and pay, to Byzantium. They accordingly 
appear in arms before the city, but finding the gates shut 
against them, force an entrance, and are with great diffculty 
pacified by Xenophon. Cceratades, a Theban, offers to lead 
them into" Thrace, and his proposal is accepted ; but he soon 
shows his incapacity, and lays down the command. 

1. What the Greeks did in their march up 
the country with Cyrus, until the battle was 
fought, what they experienced in their retreat, 
after Cyrus was dead, till they reached the Eux- 
ine Sea, and how they fared, in their progress by 
sea and land, from the time that they arrived at 
the Euxine until they got beyond the mouth of 
it to Chrysopolis in Asia, has been related in the 
preceding part of the narrative. 

2. Pharnabazus, fearing that the army of 
the Greeks might make an irruption into his 
province, sent to Anaxibius the Spartan ad- 
miral, who was at Byzantium, and begged him 
to transport the army out of Asia, promising to 
do for him in return whatever he might require 
of him. 3. Anaxibius, accordingly, sent for the 
generals and captains of the troops to Byzantium, 
engaging that if they came over to him, pay 



270 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [B. VII. 

should be given to the men. 4. The rest of the 
officers said they would give him an answer after 
they had considered of the matter; but Xeno- 
phon told him that he was going to leave the 
army, and wanted to sail away. Anaxibius, how- 
ever, requested him to come across with the rest, 
and then to take his departure. Xenophon there- 
fore said that he would do so. 

5. In the mean time Seuthes the Thracian 
sent Medosades to Xenophon, requesting that 
general to join with him in using his efforts that 
the army might cross over, and saying that he 
should have no cause to repent of assisting him 
in that object. 6. Xenophon replied, " The 
army will doubtless cross over ; let him give 
nothing to me therefore, or to any one else, on 
that account. When it has crossed, I shall quit 
it ; so let him address himself to those who stay, 
and who may seem able to serve him, in such a 
manner as may appear likely to be successful." 

7. Soon after, the whole army of the Greeks 
crossed over to Byzantium. Anaxibius however 
gave them no pay, but made proclamation that 
the soldiers should take their arms and baggage, 
and go out of the city, signifying that he intend- 
ed at once to send them away home, and to take 
their number. The soldiers were in consequence 
greatly troubled, because they had no money to 
get provisions for their journey, and packed up 
their baggage with reluctance. 

8. Xenophon, who had become a guest-friend 
to Oleander the governor, went to take leave of 
him, with the intention of sailing away immedi- 
ately. But Oleander said to him, " By no means 



CH. 1.] ADVICE OF OLEANDER. 271 

do so, for, if you do, you will incur blame, since 
some people, indeed, already accuse you as the 
cause that the army proceeds out so slowly." 9. 
Xenophon replied, " I am not the cause of this, 
but the soldiers, being in want of provisions, are 
for that reason, of themselves, reluctant to go 
out." 10. " However I advise you," rejoined 
Oleander, " to go out with them, as if you intend- 
ed to accompany them, and when the army is 
clear of the city, then to quit it." u We will 
then go to Anaxibius," said Xenophon, "and 
further the proceedings." They accordingly 
went, and told him that such was their intention. 
ll. He recommended that they should act in 
conformity with what they said, and that the 
troops should go out as soon as possible with 
their baggage packed up ; desiring them to give 
notice, at the same time, that whoever should 
not be present at the review and numbering of 
the army, would have himself to blame. 12. 
The generals then went out first, and the rest of 
the army followed them. 

They were now all out except a few, and Ete- 
onicus was standing by the gates, ready to shut 
them, and thrust in the bar, as soon as they were 
all outside, 13. when Anaxibius, summoning the 
generals and captains, said, " You may take pro- 
visions from the Thracian villages ; for there is 
plenty of barley and wheat, and other necessa- 
ries in them ; and when you have supplied your- 
selves, proceed to the Chersonesus, and there 
Cyniscus will give you pay." 14. Some of the 
soldiers that overheard this, or some one of the 
captains, communicated it to the army. The 



272 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

generals, meanwhile, inquired about Seuthes, 
whether he would prove hostile or friendly, and 
whether they must march over the Sacred 
Mountain, or round about through the middle of: 
Thrace. 15. But while they were talking of 
these matters, the soldiers, snatching up their 
arms, ran in haste to the gates, with a design to 
make their way back within the walls. Eteoni- 
cus, however, and those about him, when they 
saw the heavy-armed men running towards them, 
shut the gates, and thrust in the bar. 16. The 
soldiers then knocked at the gates, and said that 
they were treated most unjustly, in being shut 
out as a prey to the enemy, and declared that 
they would split the gates asunder, if the people 
did not open them of their own accord. 17. 
Some ran oif to the sea, and got over into the 
city by the pier of the wall ; while others of 
them, who happened to be still in the town, when 
they perceived what was passing at the gates, 
cut the bars in twain with their axes, and set 
the gates wide open. They then all rushed in. 

18. Xenophon, observing what was going on, 
and fearing lest the army should fall to plunder- 
ing, and irreparable mischief be done, not only 
to the city, but to himself and the men, ran and 
got within the gates along with the crowd. 19. 
The people of Byzantium, at the same time, 
when they saw the army entering by force, fled 
from the market-place, some to the ships, and 
some to their houses, while others, who happened 
to be within-doors, ran out ; some hauled down 
the galleys into the water, that they might save 
themselves in them ; and all believed themselves 






CH. 1.] GREEKS ENTER BYZANTIUM. 273 

ruined, regarding the city as captured. 20. Ete- 
onicus fled to the citadel. Anaxibius, running 
down to the sea, sailed round to the same place 
in a fishing-boat, and immediately sent for men 
from the garrison at Chalcedon ; for those in 
the citadel did not appear sufficient to repel the 
Greeks. 

21. The soldiers, as soon as they saw Xeno- 
phon, ran up to him in great numbers, and cried, 
" You have now an opportunity, O Xenophon, 
to become a great man. You are in possession 
of a city, you have galleys, you have money, you 
have this large number of men. Now, therefore, 
if you are inclined, you may benefit us, and we 
may make you a distinguished man." 22. Xen- 
ophon replied, " You say well, and I will act 
accordingly ; but if you aim at this object, range 
yourselves under arms as quickly as possible," 
for he wished to quiet them, and not only gave 
these orders hirAself, but desired the other offi- 
cers also to command the men to range them- 
selves under arms. 23. As the men, too, began 
to marshal themselves, the heavy-armed troops 
soon formed eight deep, and the peltasts ran to 
take their station on each wing. 24. The ground, 
which was called the Thracian Area, was excel- 
lent for the arrangement of troops, being clear 
of houses, and level. When the arms were in 
their places, and the men somewhat tranquil- 
lized, Xenophon called the soldiers round him, 
and spoke as follows : 

25. " That you are -angry, soldiers, and thinK 
you have been treated strangely in being de- 
ceived, I am not at all surprised ; but if we 



274 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

gratify our resentment, and not only take re- 
venge on the Lacedaemonians, who are here, for 
their imposition, but plunder the city which is 
not at all to blame, consider what will be the 
consequences ; 26. we shall be the declared ene- 
mies both of the Lacedaemonians and their allies. 
What will be the nature of a war with them, we 
may conjecture, as we have seen and remember 
what has recently occurred. 27. We Athenians 
entered upon the contest with the Lacedaemo- 
nians and their allies, with not less than three 
hundred galleys, some at sea and some in the 
docks, with a great sum of money in the Acrop- 
olis, and with a yearly revenue, from our cus- 
toms at home and our territory abroad, of not 
less than a thousand talents ; but though we 
were masters of all the islands, were possessed 
of. many cities in Asia, and many others in Eu- 
rope, and of this very Byzantium where we now 
are, yet we were reduced in the war to such a 
condition as you all know. 28. And what maj r 
we now expect to be our fate, when the Lace- 
daemonians and Achaeans are in alliance ; when 
the Athenians, and those who were then allied 
with them, have become an accession to the 
Spartan power ; when Tissaphernes, and all the 
other Barbarians on the sea-coast, are our ene- 
mies, and the king of Persia himself our greatest 
enemy, whom we went to despoil of his throne, 
and, if we could, to deprive of life ? When all 
these opponents are united against us, is there 
anybody so senseless as to* think that we could 
get the superiority ? 29. Let us not, in the name 
of the gods, act like madmen, and perish with 



en. i.] xenophon's speech. 275 

disgrace, by becoming enemies to our country, 
and to our own friends and relations ! For our 
connexions are all in the cities that will make 
war upon us, and that will make war justly in- 
deed, if, when we declined to possess ourselves 
of any Barbarian city, though we were superior 
in force, we should plunder the first Greek city 
at which we' have arrived. 30. For my own 
part, I pray that, before I see such an atrocity 
committed by you, I may be buried ten thousand 
fathoms under ground. I advise you, as you are 
Greeks, to endeavour to obtain justice by sub- 
mitting to those who are masters of the Greeks. 
Should you be unable to obtain it, however, we 
ought not, though wronged, to deprive ourselves 
of all hope of returning to Greece. 31. It ap- 
pears to me, therefore, that we should now send 
deputies to Anaxibius, with this message : fc We 
came into the city with no design to commit 
violence, but, if we could, to obtain some service 
from you ; but, if we obtain none, we intend to 
show that we shall go out of it, not because we 
have been deceived, but because we are willing 
to obey you.' " 

32. This proposal met with approbation ; and 
they despatched Hieronymus the Elean, Eury- 
lochus the Arcadian, and Philesius the Achaean, 
to carry the message. They accordingly pro- 
ceeded to deliver it. 

33. But while the soldiers were still seated, 
Cceratades, a Theban, came up to them ; a man 
who was going about' the country, not banished 
from Greece, but wanting to be a general, and 
offering his services wherever any city or people 



276 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

required a leader ; and, as he came forward, he 
said that he was prepared to conduct them to 
that part of Thrace called the Delta, where they 
w r ould find plenty of good things, and that, till 
they should arrive there, he would supply them 
with meat and drink in abundance. 34. The 
soldiers listened to this offer, and heard, at the 
same time, the reply brought from Anaxibius, 
for he had sent an answer that u if they com- 
plied with his wishes, they should have no cause 
to repent ; and that he would report their con- 
duct to the authorities at Sparta, and would con- 
trive to do for them whatever service he could." 
35. The soldiers, in consequence, took Coeratades 
as their leader, and went out of the city, Coerat- 
ades engaging to come to the army next day with 
victims for sacrifice, an augur, and meat and drink 
for the troops. 36. As soon as they were gone 
out, Anaxibius caused the gates to be shut, and 
proclamation made, that whoever of the soldiers 
should be found within, should be sold as a 
slave. 

37. Next day Coeratades came with the vic- 
tims and the augur ; and twenty men followed 
him carrying barley-meal, and other twenty 
carrying wine ; three also with as large a load 
as they could bear of olives ; one with as much 
as he could carry of garlic, and another of 
onions. Having ordered these things to be laid 
down, as if for distribution, he proceeded to offer 
sacrifice. 

38. Xenophon, meanwhile, having sent for 
Cleander, urged him to obtain permission for 
him to enter the walls, and to sail away from 






CH. 1.] CCERATADES DEPARTS. 277 

Byzantium. 39. When Oleander arrived, he 
said, " I am come, after having obtained the per- 
mission with extreme difficulty ; for Anaxibius 
says that it is not proper for the soldiers to be 
close to the walls, and Xenophon within ; and 
that the Byzantines are split into factions, and 
at enmity one with another ; yet he has desired 
you," he added, " to enter, if you intend to sail 
with him." 40. Xenophon accordingly took 
leave of the soldiers, and went into the city with 
Oleander. 

Coeratades, the first day, had no favourable 
omens from the sacrifice, and distributed nothing 
among the troops. The next day the victims 
were placed at the altar, and Coeratades took his 
station with a chaplet on his head, as if intending 
to offer sacrifice ; when Timasion the Dardanian, 
Neon the Asinaean, and Cleanor the Orchome- 
nian, came forward and told Coeratades not to 
sacrifice, as he should not lead the army, unless 
he supplied it with provisions. 41. He then 
ordered a distribution to be made. But as his 
supply fell far short of one day's subsistence for 
each of the soldiers, he went off, taking with him 
the victims, and renouncing the generalship. 



278 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 



CHAPTER II. 

The generals disagreeing about the route, many of the soldiers 
desert. Anaxibius and Xenophon, on their voyage, are met 
at Oyzicus by Aristarchus, Oleander's successor ; he sells 
four hundred of the Greeks for slaves. Xenophon returns 
to the army, and the Greeks, on his advice, agree to sail 
back to Asia, but are hindered by Aristarchus. Their ser- 
vices are solicited by Seuthes, and Xenophon goes to learn 
his terms. 

l. But Neon the Asinaean, Phryniscus, Phil- 
esius, Xanthicles, all Achasans, and Timasion the 
Dardanian, remained in command of the army, 
and marching 'forward to some villages of the 
Thracians, over against Byzantium, encamped 
there. 2. The generals had now some disagree- 
ment, Cleanor and Phryniscus wishing to lead 
the army to Seuthes, (for he had gained them 
over to his interest, having presented a horse to 
the one, and a mistress to the other,) and Neon 
desiring to take it to the Chersonesus, as he 
thought that if they came into the dominions of 
the Lacedaemonians, he himself would get the 
command of the whole army. Timasion, how- 
ever, wanted to cross over again into Asia, 
expecting by this means to effect his return 
home. 3. The army were of the same mind ; 
but, while time was wasted in the discussion, 
many of the soldiers deserted ; some, selling their 
arms up and down the country, sailed away as 
they could ; others joined the people in the 
neighbouring towns. 4. Anaxibius was pleased 
to hear these accounts of the dispersion of the 
army ; for he thought that by such a state of 
things he should most gratify Pharnabazus. 



CH. 2.] XENOPHON REJOINS THE ARMY. 279 

5. As Anaxibius was on his voyage from 
Byzantium, Aristarchus, the successor of Olean- 
der as governor of Byzantium, met him at 
Cyzicus, and said that Polus, the successor of 
Anaxibius as admiral, was on the point of enter- 
ing the Hellespont. 6. Anaxibius desired Aris- 
tarchus to sell all the soldiers of Cyrus, whom he 
should find remainiug in Byzantium, as slaves. 
As for Oleander, he had sold none, but had even 
attended, from compassion, to such as were sick, 
and obliged the inhabitants to receive them into 
their houses ; but Aristarchus, as soon as he 
arrived, sold not less than four hundred. 

7. Anaxibius, when he had sailed along the 
coast as far as Parium, sent to Pharnabazus 
according to an agreement between them. But 
Pharnabazus, when he found that Aristarchus 
was going as governor to Byzantium, and that 
Anaxibius was no longer admiral, neglected 
Anaxibius, and entered into a negotiation with 
Aristarchus about the army of Cyrus, similar 
to that which he had previously made with 
Anaxibius. 

8. Soon after, Anaxibius called Xenophon to 
him, and urged him, by every means. and contri- 
vance, to sail back to the army as soon as possi- 
ble, to keep it together, to collect as many of the 
dispersed soldiers as he could, and then, leading 
them along the coast to Perinthus, to transport 
them without delay into Asia. He gave him, at 
the same time, a thirty-oared galley and a letter, 
and sent a man with him to tell the people of 
Perinthus to despatch Xenophon on horseback 
to the army as soon as possible. 9. Xenophon 



280 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

then sailed across, and arrived at the army. 
The soldiers gladly welcomed him, and followed 
him at once with cheerfulness, in expectation of 
passing over from Thrace into Asia. 

10. Seuthes, when he heard of his return, sent 
Medosades to him by sea, and begged him to 
bring the army to him, promising him whatever 
he thought likely to prevail on him. Xenophon 
told him in reply that nothing of the kind was 
possible ; IX. and Medosades, on receiving this 
answer, went away. 

When the Greeks came to Perinthus, Neon, 
drawing off from the rest, encamped apart with 
about eight hundred men. All the other troops 
remained together under the walls of Perinthus. 

12. Xenophon was next engaged in getting 
vessels, in order that they might cross over to 
Asia as soon as possible. But just at this time 
Aristarchus the governor, instigated by Phar- 
nabazus, came with two galleys from Byzantium, 
and forbade the masters of the ships to carry 
over the Greeks, and then, going to the army, 
desired the soldiers not to go across into Asia. 
13. Xenophon told him that Anaxibius had 
ordered them to go, "and sent me hither," 
added he, " with that view." " Anaxibius," 
retorted Aristarchus, " is no longer admiral, and 
I am governor here ; and if I find one of you on 
the sea, I will drown him." Having said this, 
he went off into the town. 

14. Next day he sent for the generals and 
captains of the army ; but, as they came up to 
the wall, somebody gave notice to Xenophon, 
that if he went in, he would be apprehended, 



CH. 2.] TREACHERY OF ARISTARCHUS. 281 

and either suffer some injury there, or be deliv- 
ered to Pharnabazus. Hearing this, he sent the 
others on before, and said that he himself had a 
mind to offer sacrifice. 15. Returning, accord- 
ingly, he sacrificed to know whether the gods 
would permit him to attempt to lead the army to 
Seuthes, for he saw that it was not safe to cross 
over into Asia, as he who would hinder him had 
galleys at his command, nor was he willing to 
go to the Chersonesus and be shut up there, or 
that the army should be in great want of every- 
thing in a place where it would be necessary to 
obey the governor, and where the troops would 
be able to procure no supplies. 

16. He was engaged about this matter, when 
the generals and captains returned from Aristar- 
chus, and brought word that he had told them to 
go away for the present, and to come back to 
him in the evening. Hence his treacherous in- 
tentions became still more manifest. 17. Xeno- 
phon, therefore, as the sacrifices seemed favour- 
able for himself and the army to go in security 
to Seuthes, took with him Polycrates the 
Athenian, one of the captains, and from each of 
the generals, except Neon, a person in whom 
they confided, and went in the night to the camp 
of Seuthes, a distance of sixty stadia. 18. As he 
drew near it, he met with several watch-fires 
without guards, and thought that Seuthes had 
decamped ; but, hearing a noise, and the men 
about Seuthes making signals to one another, he 
understood that these fires had been kindled by 
Seuthes in front of the night-posts, in order that 
the sentinels, being in the dark, might not be 



282 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

seen, or show how many or where they were, 
while those who approached might not be con- 
cealed, but be conspicuous in the light. 19. When 
he found that such was the case, he sent the in- 
terpreter whom he had with him, and told him 
to let Seuthes know that Xenophon was there, 
and desired a conference with him. They 
inquired if it was Xenophon the Athenian, from 
the Grecian army. 20. As he answered that it 
was he, they leaped upon their horses, and 
hastened off. A little after, about two hundred 
peltasts appeared, and conducted Xenophon and 
his party to Seuthes. 

21. Seuthes was in a tower, strictly guarded, 
and round it stood horses ready bridled ; for, 
through fear, he fed his horses during the day, 
and kept on guard with them bridled during the 
night. 22. For Teres, one of his ancestors, when 
he had once a large army in this country, was 
said to have lost great .numbers of his men, and 
to have been stripped of his baggage by the 
natives, who are called Thynians, and are said to 
be the most formidable of all enemies, especially 
in the ni^ht. 

23. When they approached, Seuthes gave notice 
that Xenophon, with any two of his attendants 
that he chose, might enter. As soon as they 
went in, they first saluted one another, and, 
according to the Thracian custom, drank to each 
other in horns full of wine ; Medosades, who 
acted as the ambassador of Seuthes on all occa- 
sions, being present with him. 24. Xenophon 
then began to speak as follows. "You sent 
Medosades, who is present here, to me, O Seu- 



CH. 2.] MEETING WITH SEUTHES. 283 

thes, for the first time at Chalcedon, requesting 
me to join my efforts to yours that the army 
might cross over out of Asia, and, promising, as 
Medosades here said, that if I succeeded, you 
would do me some service in return." 25. When 
he had said this, he asked Medosades if it was 
true ; and he said that it was. " When I had 
gone over again to the army from Parium, 
Medosades came to me a second time, assuring 
me, that if I would bring the army to you, you 
would not only treat me as a friend and a brother 
in other respects, but that the towns also along 
the sea, of which you are master, would be 
assigned to me from you." 26. He then again 
asked Medosades whether he said this, and 
Medosades acknowledged it. u Well then," said 
Xenophon, u tell Seuthes what answer I gave 
you, on the first occasion, at Chalceclon." 27. 
" You answered that the army was going to cross 
over to Byzantium, and that there would there- 
fore be no occasion on that account to give any- 
thing either to you or to any other person ; you 
added that, as soon, as you had crossed, you 
would quit the army ; and all took place as 
you said." 28. " And what did I say," contin- 
ued Xenophon, " when you came to Selybria?" 
" You said that what I proposed was impractica- 
ble, but that the army was to go to Perinthus, 
and pass over into Asia." 29. " Well then," 
said Xenophon, u I am now present before you, 
with Phryniscus here, one of the generals, and 
Polycrates, one of the captains ; and, without, 
are deputies from the other generals, the most 
confidential friends of eacli, except from Neon 



284 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

the Lacedaemonian. 30. If you wish the busi- 
ness to have greater sanction, call them in also ; 
and do you, Polycrates, go and tell them that I 
desire them to leave their arms outside ; and do 
you leave your sword there, and come in again." 
31. Seuthes, on hearing this, said that he would 
distrust no one of the Athenians, for he knew 
that they were connected with him by lineage, 
and regarded them as kind friends. Afterwards, 
when those who were wanted had come in, Xen- 
ophon first asked Seuthes what use he proposed 
to make of the army. 32. Seuthes then pro- 
ceeded to speak thus : " Maasades was my 
father; and under his government were the 
Melanditas, the Thynians, and the Tranipsae. 
But when the power of the Odrysae declined, my 
father, being driven from this country, died of a 
disease, and I, being left an orphan, was bred up 
with Medocus, the present king. 33. As soon 
as I became a young man, however, I could not 
bear to subsist in dependence upon another per- 
son's table ; and I sat on my seat before him as 
a suppliant that he would give me as many troops 
as he could, in order that, if I found it at all in 
my power, I might inflict some evil on those who 
had expelled us, and might cease to live by look- 
ing, like a dog, to his table. 34. In compliance 
with my request he gave me the infantry and 
cavalry which you will see as soon as it is day. 
I now subsist with the aid of these troops, mak- 
ing depredations on my own hereditary dominions; 
and if you join me, I should expect, with the 
assistance of the gods, to recover my authority 
with ease. This is what I desire of you." 



CH. 3.] PROPOSAL OF SEUTHES. 285 

35. " If we should come, then," said Xenophon, 
;i what would you be able to give to the soldiers, 
captains, and generals ? Let me know, that these 
who are with me may carry word to them." 36. 
Seuthes then promised to give every soldier a 
Cyzicene stater, twice as much to a captain, and 
four times as much to a general, with as much 
land as they should desire, yokes of oxen, and a 
walled town near the sea. 37. "But if," said 
Xenophon, " when we attempt this service, we 
should not succeed, but something to deter us 
should arise on the part of the Lacedaemonians, 
will you, if any of us should wish to take refuge 
with you, receive them into your country ? " 38. 
" Nay more," replied he, " I will even treat them 
as brothers, make them guests at my own table, 
and sharers of all that we may be able to acquire. 
To you, Xenophon, I will give my daughter; 
and, if you have a daughter, I will buy her ac- 
cording to the Thracian custom, and will give you 
Bisanthe, which is the finest of my towns upon the 
sea, as a residence." 



CHAPTER III, 



All the Greeks, except Neon and his party, accept the pro- 
posals of Seuthes, and join him. They march with Seuthes 
against his enemies, whom they surprise unawares, and take 
a great number of slaves, and much spoil. 

1. The party having heard these offers, and 
having exchanged right hands, rode off. They 
got back to the camp before day-break, and made 
each his report to those who sent him. 2. As 



286 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

soon as it was light, Aristarchus sent again for 
the generals and captains, but they determined 
to decline going to him, and to call together the 
army. All the troops came, except those of 
Neon, who were about ten stadia distant. 3. 
When they were met, Xenophon stood up and 
spoke as follows : 

" Soldiers ! Aristarchus, having galleys at com- 
mand, seeks to prevent us sailing whither we 
desire ; and in consequence it is not safe for us to 
embark. He would have us make our way by 
force over the Sacred Mountain into the Cher- 
sonesus ; and, if we should succeed in crossing 
that mountain, and arrive there, he says that he 
will not again sell any of you, as he did at Byz- 
antium, or deceive you again, but that you shall 
receive pay, and that he will no longer suffer 
you, as at present, to be in want of provisions. 

4. Thus speaks Aristarchus. Seuthes, on the 
other hand, says that if you go to him, he will be 
of service to } 7 ou. Consider, therefore, whether 
you will decide on this point while remaining here 
now, or after having gone back to get provisions. 

5. My own opinion is, that since we have no 
money here to purchase, and since they will not 
allow us to take provisions without money, we 
should return to the villages where the inhabi- 
tants, being weaker than we are, permit us to 
take them, and that there, when we have got sup- 
plies, and heard what each of them desire of you, 
you may choose whatever may seem best. 6. To 
whomsoever this proposal is agreeable, let him 
hold up his hand.*' They all held up their hands. 
"Go then," continued he, "and prepare your 



CH. 3.] XENOPHON JOINS SEUTHES. 287 

baggage, and when any one gives the signal, fol- 
low your leader." 

7. Soon after Xenophon put himself at their 
head, and they followed him. Neon, however, 
and some other persons sent by Aristarchus, tried 
to persuade them to turn back ; but they paid no 
regard to their words. When they had advanced 
about thirty stadia, Seuthes met them ; and 
Xenophon, when he saw him, invited him to ride 
up, that he might state to him, in the hearing of 
as many as possible, what he thought for their 
advantage. 8. As he came forward, Xenophon 
said, " We are going to some place where the 
army will be likely to get provisions, and where, 
after hearing your proposals, and those of the 
Lacedsemonian, we shall determine upon that 
course which may seem best to us. If therefore 
you will conduct us to a place where provisions 
are in the greatest abundance, we shall consider 
ourselves as being your guests." 9. Seuthes re- 
plied, " I know of several villages lying close to- 
gether, containing all sorts of provisions, and dis- 
tant from us only so far that you may go over 
to them and dine in comfort." " Conduct us, 
then," said Xenophon. 

10. When they had reached the villages, in the 
afternoon, the soldiers assembled, and Seuthes 
spoke thus : " I wish you, soldiers, to take service 
with me, and propose to give each of you a Cyzi- 
cene stater monthly, and the captains and gen- 
erals what is customary. In addition to this, I 
will do honour to every man that proves himself 
worthy of it. Meat and drink you shall have, as 
at present, by taking it from the country ; but 



288 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

whatever spoil may be taken, I shall think proper 
to keep myself, that, by disposing of it, I may 
provide pay for you. ll. Such enemies as flee 
from us, and conceal themselves, we shall be able 
to pursue and discover ; and such as resist us, we 
shall endeavour, with your assistance, to over- 
come." 12. Xenophon then inquired, " How far 
from the sea shall you require the army to fol- 
low you ? " He replied, u Never more than 
seven days' march, and often less." 

13. Liberty was then given to any one that 
wished, to speak ; and many concurred in saying 
that Seuthes made proposals of the greatest ad- 
vantage, as it was winter, and no longer practi- 
cable, even for such as desired, to sail home ; and 
as it was impossible for them to live, though in 
a country of friends, if they were to subsist by 
purchasing, while it would be safer for them to 
remain and find subsistence in an enemy's coun- 
try jointly with Seuthes than by themselves, so 
many advantages offering themselves, and if, in 
addition to these, they also received pay, it 
appeared to them an unexpected piece of good 
fortune. 14. Xenophon then said, " If any one 
has aught to say against this opinion, let him 
speak at once ; if not, let him vote for it." As 
no one said anything against it, he put it to the 
vote, and the decision was in favour of it. Xeno- 
phon immediately told Seuthes that they would 
take the field with him. 

15. The soldiers then pitched their tents 
according to their divisions ; the generals and 
captains Seuthes, who occupied a neighbouring 
village, invited to supper, ig. When they were 



CH. 3.] GIFTS ASKED FOR SEUTHES. 289 

at the entrance, going in to supper, a man named 
Heraclides, a native of Maronea, presented him- 
self before them. This man, addressing himself 
to every one whom he thought possessed of any- 
thing to present to Seuthes, and first to certain 
people from Parium, who were come to establish 
a friendship with Medocus, king of the Odrysae, 
and had brought presents for Seuthes and his 
wife, said that Medocus resided up the country, 
twelve days' journey from the sea, and that 
Seuthes, since he had taken this force into his 
service, would be master on the coast ; 17. ki being 
your neighbour therefore," he added, " he will be 
greatly in a condition to do you both good and 
harm ; and, if you are wise, you will accordingly 
give him what you have brought, and it will be 
bestowed to better account than if you were to 
give it to Medocus, who lives at a distance." 
18. By these arguments he prevailed upon them. 
Accosting, in the next place, Timasion the Dar- 
danian, as he had heard that he had cups and 
Persian carpets, he observed that it was custom- 
ary, whenever Seuthes invited people to supper, 
for those who were invited to make him presents; 
" and," said he, " if he becomes powerful in this 
country, he will be able either to restore you to 
yours, or to make you rich here." In this man- 
ner he sued for Seuthes, addressing himself to 
each of the guests. 19. Advancing also towards 
Xenophon, he said, " You are of a most Jionour- 
able city, and your name stands very high with 
Seuthes ; and perhaps you will desire to have 
some place of strength, and a portion of land, in 
this country, as others of your countrymen have. 



290 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

It will be proper for you, therefore, to honour 
Seuthes most magnificently ; 20. and I give you 
this advice as your well-wisher; for I know that 
the greater presents you make him, the greater 
benefits you will receive from him." Xenophon, 
on hearing this, was in some perplexity ; for he 
had come over from Parium with only one ser- 
vant and just enough money for the journey. 

21. When the company went in to supper, con- 
sisting of the chief Thracians who were there, the 
generals and captains of the Greeks, and such 
ambassadors as had come from any city, the 
supper was prepared for them as they took their 
seats in a circle, and tables with three feet were 
then brought in for each. These tables were full 
of pieces of meat piled up, and large leavened 
loaves were attached to the meat. 22. The 
tables were always placed near the strangers in 
preference to others ; for such was their custom. 
Seuthes then first proceeded to act as follows : 
taking up the loaves that were set by him, he 
broke them into small portions, and distributed 
to those whom he pleased, and the flesh in a simi- 
lar way, leaving for himself only just sufficient to 
taste. 23. The rest of those, before whom tables 
were placed, followed his example. But a cer- 
tain Arcadian, whose name was Arystas, an 
extraordinary eater, took no care about distribut- 
ing, but taking in his hand a loaf of about three 
chcenicQS, and placing some meat upon his knees, 
went on with his supper. 24. In the mean time 
they carried round horns of wine, and everybody 
took some ; but Arystas, when the cup-bearer 
came to him with the horn, and he observed that 



CH. 3.] GREEKS SUP WITH SEUTHES. 291 

Xenophon had finished his supper, said, " Give 
it to him, for he is now at leisure ; I am not so 
yet." 25. Seuthes, hearing the voice, asked the 
cup-bearer what he said ; and the cup-bearer (for 
he knew the Greek language) told him. A laugh 
in consequence followed. 

26. As the cup made its way, a Thracian 
entered leading a white horse, and, taking up a 
horn full of wine, said, " I drink to you, O 
Seuthes, and present you with this horse, mounted 
on which, and pursuing whomsoever you please, 
you will overtake him, and, when retreating, you 
will have no cause to fear an enemy." 27. An- 
other, bringing in a boy, presented him, drinking 
to Seuthes, in like manner, and another vest- 
ments for his wife. Timasion, drinking to him, 
made him a present of a silver cup, and a carpet 
worth ten minse. 28. But one Gnesippus, an 
Athenian, rose up and said, that it was an excel- 
lent custom in old times, that those who had any- 
thing should give presents to the king to do him 
honour, and that the king should give to those 
who have nothing ; I therefore beg something of 
you, that I may have something to present you, 
and to do you honour." 

29. As for Xenophon, he was in doubt how to 
act, for he was seated, as a person held in honour, 
in the place next to Seuthes ; and Heraclides 
now desired the cup-bearer to present him the 
horn. However he stood up boldly, (for he had 
by this time drunk rather copiously,) and, taking 
the horn, said, 30. "I present you, O Seuthes, 
myself, and these my comrades, to be your faith- 
ful friends, no one of them being reluctant, but 



292 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

all desiring, even more than myself, to be your 
adherents. 31. They are now here before you, 
asking nothing else of you, but desiring to labour 
for you, expressing their willingness to incur 
dangers for your sake ; with whose assistance, if 
the gods are favourable, you will recover, on the 
one hand, a large portion of country which was 
your father's, and, on the other, acquire some in 
addition ; and you will also become master of 
many men and women, whom it will not be 
necessary to take by force, but they themselves 
will come to you with presents in their hands." 

32. Seuthes then stood up and drank with him, 
and then joined with him in sprinkling what re- 
mained in the horn upon himself. 

Soon after some people came in that played on 
horns, such as they make signals with, and trum- 
pets made of raw ox-hides, blowing regular tunes, 
and as if they were playing on the magadis. 

33. Seuthes himself rose up and uttered the war- 
cry, and sprang out of his place with the utmost 
agility, like a man -guarding against a missile. 
Buffoons also entered. 

34. When the sun was near setting, the Greeks 
rose, and said that it was time to place the guards 
for the night, and to give out the watch-word. 
They requested Seuthes, at the same time, to 
give orders that none of the Thracians should 
enter the Greek camp by night ; " for," said they, 
"both your enemies are Thracians, and so are 
you, our friends." 35. As they were going out, 
Seuthes stood up, not at all like a man intoxi- 
cated, and, walking forth, and calling back the 
generals by themselves, said to them, " The 



CH. 3.] SEUTHES PROPOSES AN ATTACK. 293 

enemy, my friends, know nothing as yet of our 
alliance ; if. then, we should march upon them 
before they are on their guard against a surprise, 
or are prepared to make any defence, we should 
be very likely to take both prisoners and booty." 
36. The generals expressed their assent to what 
he said, and desired him to lead them. " Pre- 
pare yourselves then," he replied, "and wait for 
me, and, when the proper time comes, I will 
come to you, and, taking the peltasts and your- 
selves, will, with the aid of the gods, conduct 
you." 37. " Consider however," rejoined Xeno- 
phon, " whether, since we are to march in the 
night, the Greek practice is not preferable; for 
on the march, during the day, whatever part of 
the army be suitable for the ground, takes the 
lead, whether it be the heavy-armed men, or the 
peltasts, or the cavalry ; but in the night it is the 
custom among the Greeks for the slowest part of 
the force to lead the way. 38. Thus the troops 
are least likely to be dispersed, and least in dan- 
ger of straggling unobserved from one another ; 
for bodies that have been separated often fall 
foul of each other, and both do and suffer injury 
unawares." 39. "You say well," replied Seu- 
thes, " and I will conform to your custom ; I will 
also provide you guides, some of the oldest men, 
best acquainted with the country ; I will bring 
up the rear myself with the cavalry, and, if there 
be occasion, will soon come up to the front." 
For the watch-word they fixed upon Minerva, 
on account of their relationship. After this 
conversation they went to rest. 

40. When it was about midnight, Seuthes came 



294 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

to them with his cavalry clad in their corslets, 
and his peltasts equipped with their arms. After 
he had appointed the guides, the heavy-armed 
men took the lead, the peltasts followed, and the 
cavalry formed the rear-guard. 41. As soon as 
it was day, Seuthes rode up to the front, and 
extolled the Greek custom, for he said that he 
himself, when marching in the night, though 
but with a small force, had often been separated, 
along with the cavalry, from the infantry ; " but 
now," he added, " we all appear in a body at 
break of day, as we ought to be. But halt here, 
and take some rest, and I, after having taken a 
survey of the country, will return to you." 
42. When he said this, he rode off over a hill, 
taking a particular road. Having come to some 
deep snow, he examined whether there were any 
footsteps of men on it, pointing either forward 
or the contrary way. But as he found the way 
untrodden, he soon came back, and said, 43. " All 
will be well, my friends, if the gods be but favour- 
able ; for we shall fall upon the inhabitants una- 
wares. For my own part, I will lead the way 
with the cavalry, in order that, if we come in 
sight of any person, he may not run off and give 
notice to the enemy. Follow me ; and, if you 
are left behind, keep in the track of the cavalry. 
When we have crossed these hills, we shall come 
to a number of well-stored villages." 

44. When it was mid-day, he had already 
reached the summit, and, after taking a view of 
the villages, came riding back to the heavy-armed 
men, and said, " I will now send off the horse to 
gallop down into the plain, and the peltasts to 



CH. 3.] SEUTHES CAPTURES VILLAGES. 295 

attack the villages. Follow therefore as fast as 
you can, that if any of the enemy offer resist- 
ance, you may give your support." 45. Xeno- 
phon, on hearing this, alighted from his horse. 
" Why do you alight," inquired Seuthes, " when 
it is necessary to make haste ? " "I am sure," 
replied Xenophon, " that you do not want me 
only ; and the heavy armed men will hasten on 
with greater speed and alacrity, if I lead them on 
foot." 46. Seuthes then rode off, and Timasion, 
with about forty of the Greek cavalry, went with 
him. Xenophon called on the most active men 
of each company, such as were under thirty years 
of age, to come forward, and, taking these, he 
hurried on, while Cleanor led up the rest of the 
Greeks. 47. When they came to the villages, 
Seuthes, riding up to Xenophon, with about fifty 
horse, said, " What you said, Xenophon, has hap- 
pened ; the inhabitants are captured ; but my 
cavalry are gone off without a leader, pursuing 
the people some one way, some another ; and I 
am afraid that the enemy, collecting in a body 
somewhere, may do us some mischief. It is 
necessary, too, that some of us should remain in 
the villages, for they are full of people." 48. " I 
then," said Xenophon, " with the force that I 
have, will possess myself of the heights ; and do 
you, meanwhile, order Cleanor to extend his line 
along through the plain by the villages." When 
they had made this arrangement, about a thou- 
sand slaves, two thousand oxen, and ten thousand 
head of other cattle, were captured. They then 
took up their quarters there for the night. 



296 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Seuthes burns the villages, and takes more spoil. The Greeks 
surfer from cold. The Barbarians, who had fled, come down 
from tlie mountains on pretence of wishing to make a truce ; 
they thus reconnoitre the camp, and then attack the Greeks 
in the night, by whom they are repulsed ; they make sub- 
mission to Seuthes, and their lives are spared. 

l. The next day, Seuthes, having entirely 
burned the villages, and left not a single house 
standing, (in order to strike terror into the rest 
of the people, when they saw what they would 
suffer if they did not submit,) made a retreat. 
2. The booty he sent Heraclides to sell at Perin- 
thus, that pay might be raised for the soldiers. 
He himself and the Greeks encamped on the 
plain of the Thynians, who left their dwellings, 
and tied to the mountains. 

3. There was now a great fall of snow, and 
such severe frost, that the water which the 
attendants brought in for dinner, and the wine 
in the vessels, were frozen, and the noses and 
ears of many of the Greeks were bitten off. 
4. Hence it became evident why the Thracians 
wear the skins of foxes over their heads and ears, 
and coats that extend not only over their breasts, 
but round their thighs ; and why, when on horse- 
back, they wear wide garments, not cloaks, reach- 
ing down to their feet. 

5. Seuthes, sending some of the prisoners to 
the mountains, made it known that if the inhabi- 
tants did not come down and submit to him, he 
would burn both their villages and their corn, 
and that they would then perish with hunger. 
In consequence the women, children, and old men 



CII. 4.] BARBARIANS PUT TO DEATH. 297 

came down, but the younger sort encamped in the 
villages at the foot of the hills. 6. Seuthes, on 
receiving notice of their proceedings, desired 
Xenophon to take the youngest of the heavy- 
armed men, and to follow him. Starting, accord- 
ingly, in the night, they arrived at the villages by 
break of day. Most of the occupants fled, for 
the mountains were close at hand. All that 
Seuthes took, he put to the spear without mercy. 
7. There was with him on this occasion one 
Episthenes, an Olynthian, a great lover of boys, 
who, seeing a handsome youth, just in his bloom, 
with a shield in his hand, about to be put to 
death, ran up to Xenophon, and begged him to 
intercede for so beautiful a young man. 8. Xen- 
ophon, going up to Seuthes, begged him not to 
kill the youth, and made him acquainted, at the 
same time, with the character of Episthenes, tell- 
ing him that he once raised a company in which 
he made it his sole object that the men should be 
handsome ; and that at the head of these he 
proved himself a man of valour. 9. Seuthes 
then put this question to Episthenes : " Would 
you be willing, Episthenes, to die for this 
youth ? " Episthenes, stretching out his neck, 
replied, " Strike, if the youth desires it, and will 
feel grateful to me." 10. Seuthes next asked 
the youth whether he should kill Episthenes 
instead of him. The youth would not consent, 
but besought him to kill neither. Episthenes 
then embraced the youth, and said, "Now, 
Seuthes, you must fight with me for him ; for I 
will not give up the } r outh." n. Seuthes laughed, 
and did nothing further in the matter. 



298 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

It was resolved by Seuthes that they should 
encamp where they were, in order that the peo- 
ple upon the mountains might not get subsistence 
from the villages. He himself, going down a 
little lower into the plain, pitched his camp 
there. Xenophon, with the select body of men, 
fixed himself in the village highest up under the 
hills. The rest of the Greeks took up their 
quarters close by, among the people called the 
mountain Thracians. 

12. Not many days had elapsed, when the 
Thracians, coming down from the hills to Seuthes, 
made a treaty with him about a peace, and the 
giving of hostages. Xenophon, at the same time, 
went and told Seuthes that they were encamped 
in a dangerous place, and that the enemy were 
near at hand, and said that he would rather 
encamp in some secure post abroad, than in a 
sheltered position with the danger of being cut 
off. Seuthes bade him fear nothing, and pointed 
to the hostages then in his hands. 13. Some of 
the people from the mountains, too, came down 
and begged Xenophon to assist them in effecting 
a treaty. Xenophon assented, told them to keep 
up their spirits, and engaged that they should 
suffer no harm if they submitted to Seuthes. 
But they had come with this request only for the 
purpose of acting as spies. 

14. These things took place during the day. 
In the course of the following night the Thra- 
cians came down from the hills and attacked 
them. Each master of a house acted as a leader, 
for it would have been difficult for them, under 
any other arrangement, to find the houses in the 



CH. 4.] THRACIAN ATTACK REPULSED. 299 

villages in the dark, as they were surrounded 
with high palisades to secure the cattle. 15. 
When they came up to the door of each house, 
some hurled their spears in at them, others struck 
them with their clubs which they carried, they 
said, to knock off the heads of the spears, while 
others set fire to the buildings, and calling for 
Xenophon by name, bade him come forth and be 
put to death ; or else they declared that he should 
be burned to ashes upon the spot. 16. The fire 
soon began to show itself through the roof, and 
Xenophon and his men were within, with their 
corslets on, and their shields, swords, and hel- 
mets in their hands, when Silanus, a native of 
Macestus, about eighteen years of age, blew a 
signal with the trumpet, and they immediately 
rushed out, with their swords drawn, as well as 
those from the neighbouring houses. 17. The 
Thracians at once took to flight, slinging their 
shields, as was their custom, over their shoulders ; 
and some of them, as they were trying to leap 
over the palisades, were caught and suspended, 
their shields sticking fast among the stakes ; some 
were killed through missing the outlets ; and the 
Greeks drove the rest out of the village. 18. A 
party of the Tbynians, however, came back under 
cover of the darkness, and hurled their javelins 
at some of the Greeks that were running past a 
burning house, taking aim out of the darkness at 
those who were in the light ; they wounded 
Hieronymus a Euodean, and Theogenes a 
Locrian, both captains; but nobody was killed; 
though the clothes and baggage of some of them 
were burned. 19. Seuthes came to their relief 



300 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

with seven horsemen, the first that he met, bring- 
ing with him the Thracian trumpeter ; and, when 
he saw how matters stood, the trumpet, by his 
orders, continued to sound as long as he was on 
the march to give aid ; so that this noise also con- 
tributed to strike terror into the enemy. When 
he came up, he congratulated the Greeks, and 
said that he had expected to find many of them 
killed. 

20. Xenophon then requested Seuthes to give 
up the hostages to him, and to march with him, 
if he was willing, to the mountains ; if not, to 
permit him to go himself. 21. The next day, 
accordingly, Seuthes gave him the hostages, (who 
were men of advanced age, the most considerable 
persons, as they said, among the mountaineers,) 
and joined him with his army. Seuthes had now 
a force three times as large as before ; for many 
of the Odrysse, on hearing what he was doing, 
had come down to take the field with him. 22. 
The Thynians, when they beheld from the moun- 
tains, so vast a force of heavy-armed men, pel- 
tasts, and cavalry, came down and besought him 
to make peace with them, engaging to serve him 
in every way, and requesting him to accept 
pledges from them. 23. Seuthes, calling in 
Xenophon, communicated to him what they said, 
and observed, at the same time, that he would 
not make peace, if Xenophon wished to take re- 
venge on them for their attack. 24. Xenophon 
replied, " I consider myself sufficiently revenged, 
if these people, instead of remaining free, are to 
become slaves ; " adding, however, that he ad- 
vised him to take as hostages in future those who 



CH. 5.] GREEKS ARE NOT PAID IN FULL. 301 

had most power to harm him, and to let the old 
men stay at home. All the people in this part 
of the country accordingly submitted to Seuthes. 



CHAPTER Y. 



The Greeks are not paid in full, yet continue to serve Seuthes ; 
the soldiers are dissatisfied, on this account, with Xenophon. 
Unfairness of Seuthes ; the expedition to Salmydessus. 

l. They now crossed over to the Thracians 
above Byzantium, into what is called the Delta. 
This had not formed any part of the dominion of 
Maesades, though it had belonged to Teres, a son 
of Odryses, some ancient king. 2. Here Hera- 
clides met them with the price of the spoil. 

Seuthes, selecting three pairs of mules, (for 
there were no more,) and others of oxen, sent 
for Xenophon and requested him to accept the 
first for himself, and to distribute the others 
among the generals and captains. 3. Xenophon 
replied, "For myself it will be sufficient to 
receive something another time ; give these to 
the generals and captains that have followed you 
in company with me." 4. Timasion the Dar- 
danian then received one of the pairs, Cleanor 
the Orchomenian another, and Phryniscus the 
Achaean the third ; the pairs of oxen were 
divided among the captains. But Seuthes gave 
the army only twenty days' pay, though the 
month was expired ; for Heraclides said that he 
had been unable to sell any more. 5. Xenophon, 
being concerned at this deficiency, exclaimed, 



302 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

with an imprecation, "You seem to me, Hera- 
clides, not to have such care for the interests of 
Seuthes as you ought to have ; for, if you had 
such care, you would have brought the full pay, 
even though you had borrowed money to make 
it up, or sold your own clothes, if you could not 
raise the sum by any other means." 

6. At this reproach Heraclides was extremely 
vexed, and feared that he should be deprived of 
the friendship of Seuthes ; and, from that day, in 
whatever way he could, he laboured to bring 
Xenophon into disgrace with Seuthes. 7. The 
soldiers, too, threw blame upon Xenophon be- 
cause they did not receive their pay ; and Seu- 
thes was displeased with him because he was 
earnest in demanding it for them. 8. Until that 
time he had been constantly telling him that, 
when he arrived at the sea, he would put him in 
possession of Bisanthe, and Ganos, and Neon- 
tichos, but, after that period, he alluded to none 
of those places ; for Heraclides had maliciously 
insinuated that it was not safe to intrust fortresses 
to a man at the head of an armv. 

9. Xenophon, in consequence, began to con- 
sider with himself what he ousfht to do about the 
expedition farther up the country. Heraclides, 
meantime, was thrusting the other generals upon 
Seuthes, and urging them to say that they could 
lead the army not less effectively than Xeno- 
phon ; he assured them also that, in a few days, 
their full pay for two months should be given 
them, and recommended them to continue in the 
service of Seuthes. 10. To this Timasion re- 
plied, " For my part, even if five months' pay 



CH. 5.] DECEITFTJLNESS OF HERACLIDES. 303 

were to be given me, I would not serve without 
Xenophon." Phryniscus and Cleanor expressed 
the same sentiments as Timasion. 

11. Seuthes then blamed Heraclides for not 
calling in Xenophon with them ; and they accord- 
ingly sent for him alone. But Xenophon, seeing 
that this was a trick of Heraclides, to render him 
unpopular with the rest of the generals, took 
with him, when he went, not only all the gener- 
als, but all the captains. 12. As they were all 
moved by the arguments of Seuthes, they joined 
him in an expedition, and proceeded through the 
country of the Thracians called Melinophagi, 
keeping the Euxine Sea on the right, to Salmy- 
dessus. Here many of the ships sailing into the 
Euxine are grounded and driven ashore ; for a 
shoal there stretches far out into the sea. 13. 
The Thracians who live in those parts, set up 
pillars as boundaries, and each party plunder the 
wrecks stranded on their own portion of the 
coast ; but for some time before they erected the 
pillars, it was said that they fell in great num- 
bers by the hands of each other while engaged 
in plundering. 14. In this place were found 
couches, boxes, written books, and many other 
things, such as seamen carry in their wooden 
store-chests. Having subdued this people, they 
went back again. 15. Seuthes had now an army 
superior in number to that of the Greeks ; for 
many more of the Odrysse had come down to him, 
and others, as fast as they submitted, joined his 
force. They encamped in a plain above Selybria, 
at the distance of about thirty stadia from the sea. 
16. No pay as yet appeared ; the soldiers were 



304 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

greatly dissatisfied with Xenophon ; and Seuthes 
no longer treated him with familiarity, but, when- 
ever he went to desire to speak with him, many 
engagements were pretended. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Greeks are solicited by the Lacedsemonians to join them 
in a war with Tissaphern'es, when a certain Arcadian brings 
a formal accusation against Xenophon ; he defends himself, 
and is justified by others. He is requested by Seuthes to 
remain in his service with a thousand men, but resolves to 
depart. 

l. At this time, when two months had nearly 
expired, Charminus, a Lacedaemonian, and 
Polynicus, came from Thibron, and stated that 
the Lacedaemonians had resolved to take the 
field against Tissaphernes, and that Thibron had 
set sail for the purpose of carrying on the war 
with him ; adding that he was in want of this 
auxiliary force, and promised that a daric a month 
should be the pay for each common soldier, twice 
as much for the captains, and four times as much 
for the generals. 2. When these Lacedaemoni- 
ans arrived, Heraclides, hearing that they were 
come for the army, remarked to Seuthes that it 
was a fortunate occurrence, "for the Lacedaemo- 
nians," said he, " are in want of the army, and 
you no longer require it ; by resigning it, there- 
fore, you will gratify them, and the soldiers will 
cease to ask you for pay, and will leave the 
country." 

3. Seuthes, listening to these representations, 
desired him to bring the Lacedaemonians to him; 



CH. 6.] ACCUSATIONS AGAINST XENOPHON. 305 

and as they told him that they were come for the 
army, he said that he would give it up, and was 
willing to be their friend and ally, and invited 
them to a banquet, at which he entertained them 
magnificently, but did not invite Xenophon, or 
any of the other generals. 4. The Lacedaemo- 
nians inquiring what sort of a person Xenophon 
was, he replied, that in other respects he was not 
a bad man, but that he was a great friend to the 
soldiers, "and on that account," added he, "it is 
the worse for him." " Does the man then," said 
they, " try to make himself popular with the 
soldiers ? " " Certainly," replied Heraclides. 
5. " Will he not then oppose us," said they, 
" respecting the removal of the army ? " " But if 
you call the soldiers together," rejoined Hera- 
clides, "and promise them pay, they will show 
little regard to him, and will hasten away with 
you." 6. " How, then," said they, " can they 
be assembled to hear us ? " " To-morrow morn- 
ing," answered Heraclides, "we will bring yon 
to them, and I feel assured that, as soon as they 
see you, they will readily flock together." Thus 
ended that day. 

7. Next morning Seuthes and Heraclides con- 
ducted the Lacedaemonians to the army, and the 
soldiers were called together. The Lacedaemo- 
nians then stated that it was resolved by their 
countrymen to go to war with Tissaphernes, 
" who," said they, " has injured you. If there- 
fore you join with us, you will both revenge 
yourselves on an enemy, and will receive, each 
of you, a daric a month, a captain double, and a 
general fourfold." 8. The soldiers listened to 



306 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

this offer with pleasure ; and one of the Arcadi- 
ans immediately rose up to make an accusation 
against Xenophon. Seuthes was also present, 
being desirous to know how the matter would 
end, and was standing where he could easily 
hear, attended by an interpreter, though he him- 
self understood most of what was spoken in 
Greek. 9. The Arcadian proceeded to say, 
"We should certainly, O Lacedaemonians, have 
been with you long ago, if Xenophon had not 
wrought upon us and led us hither, where, serv- 
ing through a severe winter, we have had no rest 
night or day; while he has the fruit of our 
labours, and Seuthes enriches him personally, 
and deprives us of our pay ; 10. so that if I, who 
am the first to speak on this occasion, could see 
him stoned to death, and paying the penalty for 
what he has made us- suffer in dragoring us about, 
I should think that I had received my pay, and 
should cease to be concerned at what I have 
undergone." After him another stood up, and 
then another ; when Xenophon proceeded to 
speak as follows : 

11. "A man may well, indeed, expect any 
kind of fate, since I now meet with accusations 
from you, at a time when I am conscious of hav- 
ing displayed the utmost zeal to serve you. 
After I had set out homewards, I turned back, 
not certainly from learning that you were in a 
satisfactory condition, but rather from hearing 
that you were in difficulties, and with the inten- 
tion of aiding you if I could. 12. When I got 
back to the army, though Seuthes here sent many 
messengers to me, and promised me many advan- 



CH. 6.] XENOPHON'S DEFENCE. 307 

tages, if I would induce you to go to him, I made 
no attempt, as you yourselves know, to do so, 
but led you to a place from which I thought you 
would have the quickest passage into Asia; for 
I considered that this course would be best for 
you, and knew that you desired it. 13. But 
when Aristarchus came with his galleys, and pre- 
vented you from sailing across, I then (as was 
doubtless proper) called you together, that we 
might consider what measures we ought to take. 
14. After hearing then Aristarchus, on the one 
hand, desiring you to go to the Chersonesus, and 
listening to Seuthes, on the other, urging you to 
take the field with him, you all said that you 
would go with Seuthes, and all gave your votes 
for that course. In what respect then did I 
wrong you on that occasion, by leading you 
whither you all resolved to go ? 

15. " Since Seuthes, however, has begun to 
break his word concerning your pay, you, if I 
were to express approbation of his conduct, would 
justly accuse and detest me ; but if I, who was 
previously his greatest friend, am now most of all 
men at variance with him, with what reason can 
I, who have preferred your interest to that of 
Seuthes, incur censure from you for that very 
conduct through which I have brought upon me 
his enmity ? 16. But perhaps you may say that 
I have received your pay from Seuthes, and am 
merely deluding you. This however is certain, 
that if Seuthes has paid me anything, he did not 
pay it with a view of losing what he gave me, 
and of paying, at the same time, an additional 
sum to you ; but, I should think, if he had given 



308 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [B. VII. 

me anything, he would have given it with this 
intention, that by bestowing on me a less sum, 
he might not have to pay you a greater. 17. If 
therefore you suppose that such is the case, it is 
in your power to render the compact profitless to 
both of us, by requiring from him your pay ; for 
it is evident that Seuthes, if I have received any- 
thing from him, will in that case demand it back 
from me, and will demand it justly, if I fail to 
fulfil the contract for which I was bribed? 18. 
But I am conscious of being far from possessing 
anything that belongs to you ; for I swear to you 
by all the gods and goddesses, that I have not 
even received what Seuthes promised me for my- 
self ; and he is himself present, and as he hears 
me, knows whether I commit perjury or not ; 
19. and, that you may be still more surprised, I 
swear that I have not even received as much as 
the other generals have received, no, nor even as 
much as some of the captains. 20. From what 
motive, then, did I act thus ? I thought, my 
fellow-soldiers, that the more I participated in 
his poverty for the time, the more effectually 
should I render him my friend when he should 
be able to serve me. But I now see him at once 
in a state of prosperity, and understand his real 
disposition. 21. Possibly some one may say, 
* Are you not ashamed, then, of having been thus 
foolishly deceived ? ' I should indeed be ashamed, 
if I had been thus deceived by an enemy, but in 
a friend it appears far more disgraceful to deceive 
than to be deceived. 22. If however we are to 
be on our guard against friends, I know that we 
have been on the strictest guard not to give 



CII. 6.] xenophon's defence. 309 

Seuthes any just pretence for refusing to pay us 
what he promised ; for we have neither done him 
any harm, nor neglected his interests, nor shrunk 
from any undertaking to which he called us. 

23. " But, you may say, I ought to have taken 
pledges at the time, that even if he had had the 
will, he might not have had the power to deceive. 
With regard to this point, hear what I should 
never have mentioned before him, if you had not 
shown yourselves either extremely inconsiderate 
or extremely ungrateful towards me. 24. For 
recollect in what circumstances you were placed, 
when I extricated you from them by conducting 
you to Seuthes. Did not Aristarchus the Lace- 
daemonian prevent you from entering Perinthus, 
shutting the gates if you offered to approach the 
city ? Did you not encamp without the walls in 
the open air ? Was it not the middle of winter ? 
Had you not to buy provisions, when you found 
but few commodities for sale, and had but little 
with which to buy ? 25. Were you not obliged 
to remain in Thrace, because galleys at anchor 
prevented you from sailing across, while, who- 
ever stayed, had to stay in an enemy's country, 
where there were numbers of cavalrv and num- 
bers of peltasts to oppose you ? 26. And though 
we had a heavy-armed force, with which, going 
to the villages in a body, we might perhaps have 
procured a moderate supply of food, we had no 
troops with which we could pursue or capture 
slaves or cattle ; for I found neither cavalry nor 
peltasts any longer existing in a body among you. 
27. If, then, when you were in such straits, I 
had, without demanding any pay for you, pro- 



310 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

cured you Seuthes as an ally, who had cavalry 
and peltasts, of which you were in want, should 
I have appeared to have consulted ill for you? 
28. For, through having the aid of these troops, 
you not only found a greater abundance of pro- 
visions in the villages, from the Thracians being 
obliged to flee with greater precipitation, but had 
a greater share of both cattle and slaves. 29. As 
for enemies, we no longer saw any after the cav- 
alry was attached to us, though, before that time, 
they pursued us both with horse and peltasts, 
hindering us from dispersing anywhere in small 
parties, so as to get provisions in greater quanti- 
ties. 30. And if he who afforded you this secur- 
ity, did not give you, in addition, very high pay 
for the security, is this the dreadful calamity of 
which you complain, and do you think that, on 
this account, you ought by no means to allow me 
to live ? 

31. " But under what circumstances is it that 
you are now leaving the country ? Is it not after 
having passed the winter in the midst of abun- 
dance, and while \ou have in your possession, 
besides, whatever you have received from Seu- 
thes ? What you have consumed belonged to the 
enemy ; and, while faring thus, you have neither 
seen any of your number killed, nor lost any 
alive. 32. If any reputation had been gained by 
you against the Barbarians in Asia, have you not 
that still undiminished, and have you not added 
to it new glory by subduing the Thracians, 
against whom you took the field, in Europe ? I 
think, indeed, that you may justly return thanks 
to the gods, as for so many blessings, for those 



CH. 6.] XENOPHON'S DEFENCE. 311 

very things from which you are incensed against 
me. 

33. " Such is the state of your affairs ; and now, 
in the name of the gods, consider what is the con- 
dition of mine. When I first set sail for home, 
I went off with great praise from you, and with 
honour, through your means, from the rest of the 
Greeks. I was also trusted by the Lacedaemo- 
nians, or they would not have sent me back to 
you. 34. But now I go away calumniated in the 
eyes of the Lacedaemonians by your statements, 
and at enmity with Seuthes upon your account, 
whom I hoped, by serving him in conjunction 
with you, to secure as an honourable protector 
both for myself and my children, if I should have 
any. 35. Yet you, for whose sake chiefly I have 
incurred hatred, and incurred it from people far 
more powerful than myself, and while I do not 
yet cease attempting whatever good I can for 
you, entertain such an opinion of me as you now 
express. 36. But you have me in your power, 
having neither found me fleeing nor attempting 
to flee ; and, if you do what you say, you will 
put to death a man who has often watched for 
your safety ; who has gone through many toils 
and dangers in company with } 7 ou, according to 
his share and beyond his share ; who, by the 
favour of the gods, has raised with you many 
trophies over the Barbarians ; and who has ex- 
erted himself most strenuously for you, in every 
way that he could, in order that you might not 
make yourselves enemies to any of the Greeks. 
37. As it is, you are at liberty to go whither you 
please, by sea or land, without censure ; and now 



312 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

when abundance of everything presents itself be- 
fore you, when you are going to sail whither you 
have long desired to go. when those who are at 
the height of power solicit your services, when 
pay is offered, and when Lacedaemonians, who 
are thought to be the best of leaders, are come to 
take the command of you, does it seem to you to 
be a fit time for putting me at once to death ? 38. 
You had no such inclination when we were in the 
midst of hardships, O men of admirable memo- 
ries ! You then called me father, and promised 
always to remember me as your benefactor. 
However, those, who are now come to request 
your services, are not void of judgment, so that, 
as I think, you will not, by being such as you are 
towards me, appear better in their estimation." 
Having spoken thus, he ceased. 

39. Charminus, the Lacedaemonian, then stood 
up and said, " By the twin gods, soldiers, you do 
not appear to be displeased with this man on any 
reasonable grounds ; for I myself can bear testi- 
mony in his favour : since, when Polynicus and 
myself asked Seuthes about Xenophon, inquir- 
ing what sort of man he was, he had nothing else 
to lay to his charge, but, as he said, that he was 
a great friend to the soldiers, on which account, 
he observed, it was worse for him both with us 
Lacedaemonians and with himself." 40. Eury- 
lochus an Arcadian, a native of Lusia, rising up 
after him, exclaimed, " It seems to me, Lacedae- 
monians, that your first act of generalship for us 
should be this, to exact our pay from Seuthes, 
either with his consent or against it, and that, till 
you do so, you ought not to lead us from hence." 



CH. 6.] XENOPHON WARNED. 313 

41. Polycrates, the Athenian, next rose and 
spoke in favour of Xenophon : "I see," said he, 
ki soldiers, Heraclides also present here, who, 
after receiving the spoil which we obtained by 
our exertions, and having sold it, gave the pro- 
ceeds neither to Seuthes nor to us, but, having 
appropriated it to himself, still keeps possession 
of it. If therefore we are wise, we shall lay hold 
of him, for he is not a Thracian, but, being him- 
self a Greek, acts dishonestly to Greeks." 

42. Heraclides, on hearing this remark, was 
still more alarmed, and, moving towards Seuthes, 
said, "If we are wise, we shall withdraw from 
hence, out of the power of these men." Mount- 
ing their horses, accordingly, they rode off to 
their own camp ; 43. from whence Seuthes sent 
Abrozelmes, his interpreter, to Xenophon, and 
begged him to remain in his service with a thou- 
sand heavy-armed men, engaging at the same 
time, to give him the fortresses on the sea, and 
the other things which he had promised him. He 
also told him, causing it to be communicated as a 
secret, that he had heard from Polynicus, that if 
he fell into the hands of the Lacedaemonians, he 
would certainly be put to death by Thibron. 
44. Many other persons, too, sent notice to Xen- 
ophon that he had been made an object of 
calumny, and ought to be upon his guard. Xen- 
ophon, on receiving these communications, took 
two victims and sacrificed to Jupiter, consulting 
him whether it would be better for him to stay 
with Seuthes on the conditions that he proposed, 
or to go away with the army. Jupiter signified 
to him that he had better depart. 



314 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [l3. VII. 



CHAPTER VII. 

The Greeks go to get provisions from the villages. Medosades 
tries to send them away, and prevails on Xenophon to go 
and consult the Lacedaemonians. The Lacedaemonians 
refuse to take away the army till Seuthes has paid them.. 
Xenophon's speech to Seuthes. Seuthes at last produces the 
money, which Xenophon gives to the Lacedaemonians to be 
distributed among the soldiers. 

l. Seuthes then encamped at a great dis- 
tance ; and the Greeks quartered in villages from 
which they intended to get plenty of provisions, 
and then to march to the sea. These villages 
had been given by Seuthes to Medosades ; 2. who, 
seeing his property in them consumed by the 
Greeks, was much displeased ; and, taking with 
him one of the Odrysae, the most influential of 
all those that had come down from the upper 
country, and about fifty horse, went and called 
Xenophon out of the Grecian camp. Xenophon, 
taking some of the captains, and other proper 
persons, came out to meet him. 3. Medosades 
then said, "You act unjustly, O Xenophon, in 
laying waste our villages. We give you notice 
therefore, I on the part of Seuthes, and this man 
on the part of Medocus the king of the upper 
country, to quit this district ; if, however, you do 
not quit it, we shall not allow you to continue 
your depredations, but, if you do harm to our 
territories, we shall defend ourselves against you 
as enemies." 

4. Xenophon, on hearing this warning, said, 
"To give you an answer, when you speak in 
such terms, is painful, yet for the information of 
this young man, I will reply to you, that he may 



CH. 7.] XENOPHON ANSWERS MEDOSADES. 315 

know what sort of people you are, and what sort 
we are. 5. We," he continued, " before we be- 
came your allies, marched through this country 
whithersoever we thought fit, laying waste what 
we pleased, and burning what we pleased ; 6. and 
you yourself, when you came to us as an ambas- 
sador, pitched your tent with us, without fear of 
any enemy ; but your people never entered this 
region at all, or, if ever you did venture into it, 
used to encamp with your horses still bridled, as 
in the territory of those more powerful than 
yourselves. 7. But now, since you have become 
allied with us, and have by our means, and with 
the assistance of the gods, got possession of the 
country, you would drive us from that very land 
which you received from us, when we held it as 
our own by force of arms, for, as you are aware, 
the enemy were not strong enough to dispossess 
us. 8. And you would send us away, not only 
without offering us a present, or doing us any 
service in return for the benefits that you have 
received from us, but even without allowing us 
to encamp, as far as you are able to prevent us, 
when we are just taking our departure. 9. In 
addressing us thus, you show no respect either 
for the gods or for the man that accompanies you, 
who beholds you now abounding in wealth, but 
who saw you, before you were our ally, support- 
ing your existence by plunder, as you yourself 
have acknowledged. 10. But why do you 
address yourself thus to me," added Xenophon, 
"for I no longer hold the command, but the 
Lacedaemonians, to whom you gave the army 
that they might lead it away, and gave it, O most 



316 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [B. VII. 

admirable of men, without calling on me to take 
part in the resignation of it, so that, as I incurred 
their disapprobation when I brought it to you, I 
might now do them a pleasure by restoring it to 
them." 

11. When the Odrysian heard this account, he 
said, " I, O Medosades, am ready to sink into the 
earth with shame, as I listen to such a statement. 
Had I known this before, I should certainly not 
have accompanied you, and shall now take my 
departure ; for Medocus, my king, would by no 
means approve my conduct, if I should assist in 
expelling his benefactors from the country." 
12- As he uttered these words, he mounted his 
horse and rode off, and all the other horsemen 
went with him, except four or five. But Medo- 
sades (for the devastation of the country made 
him uneasy) requested Xenophon to call to him 
the two Lacedaemonians. 13. Xenophon, taking 
the most eligible persons to attend him, went to 
Charminus and Polynicus, and told them that 
Medosades wished to speak with them, intending 
to warn them, as they had warned him, to quit 
the country. 14. "I think, therefore," contin- 
ued Xenophon, " that you might secure the pay 
owing to the army, if you were to say that the 
troops have entreated you to support them in ob- 
taining their dues from Seuthes, whether with 
his consent or without it; that they engage to 
follow you cheerfully if they gain their object ; 
that they appear to you to say what is just; and 
that you have promised them not to depart until 
they have received their just demands." 15. The 
Lacedaemonians replied that they would say this, 



CH. 7.] LACEDAEMONIANS DEMAND PAY. 317 

and whatever else they might be able to urge 
with ' the greatest effect ; and immediately set 
out, with all proper persons accompanying them. 

When they arrived, Charminus said, "If you 
have anything to say to us, Medosades, speak; 
if not, we have something to say to you." 16. 
Medosades replied, very submissively, ** I have 
to say, and Seuthes says the same, that we desire 
that those who have become our friends may 
suffer no evil at your hands ; for whatever harm 
you do to them, you do at the same time to us, 
as they are our allies." 17. " We, then," said 
the Lacedaemonians, " shall be ready to depart, 
when those who have effected such services for 
you, have received their pay ; if they do not re- 
ceive it, we are here even now to take their part, 
and to take vengeance on such as have wronged 
them in violation of their oaths. If you are of 
that number, it is from you that we shall begin 
to require justice for them." 18. " Would you 
be willing, Medosades," rejoined Xenophon, ki to 
leave it to the people in whose country we are, 
(as you say that they are your friends,) to de- 
cide whether it is fit that you should quit the 
country, or we ? " 19. To this proposal he would 
not consent, but urged the two Lacedaemonians 
by all means to go to Seuthes about the pay, and 
said that he thought they would succeed with 
Seuthes ; if they did not, he requested them to 
send Xenophon with him, and promised to sup- 
port their application. In the mean time he 
begged them not to burn the villages. 

20. They then deputed Xenophon, and those 
who appeared most eligible along with him. 



318 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

When he came to Seuthes, lie said, " I am not 
come, O Seuthes, to ask anything of you, but to 
convince you, if I am able, 21. that you had no 
just cause to be displeased with me for demand- 
ing, on behalf of the soldiers, the pay which you 
so readily promised them; since I thought it 
would be not less advantageous for you to pay it 
than for them to receive it; 22. for I knew that, 
next to the gods, they have been instrumental in 
placing you in a conspicuous position, by mak- 
ing you king over a large extent of country and 
great numbers of people, so that it is not possi- 
ble for you to escape the notice of mankind, 
whether you do what is good or what is evil. 
23. To a man in such a condition it seems to me 
to be of no small importance that he should not 
be thought to send away his benefactors without 
gratitude ; of importance also to have the appro- 
bation of six thousand men ; and most important 
of all to show that you are never to be distrusted 
in what you say. 24. For I observe the words 
of the faithless wander about without power, 
influence, or regard ; while the words of those 
who are known to observe truth, are not less 
effectual, if they desire anything, in accomplish- 
ing their desire, than the strength of other men ; 
if they wish to recall any one to his duty, I know 
that the threats of such men are not less influ- 
ential in producing reform than the actual pun- 
ishments of others ; and if men of such a charac- 
ter promise anything, they produce no less effect 
by their promises than others by giving at the 
moment. 25. Consider with yourself : what did 
you pay us before you obtained our alliance? 



CH. 7.] XENOPHON ADDRESSES SEUTHES. 319 

You know that you paid us nothing; but from 
confidence being placed in you that you would 
truly perform what you said, you induced such a 
number of men to join you in the field, and to 
conquer for you a kingdom not worth fifty talents 
merely, the sum which they now think they ought 
to receive from you, but many times that sum. 
26. First of all, then, this confidence which was 
placed in you, and which secured you the king- 
dom, is bartered away by you for this sum of 
money. 

27. " Consider, too, how great a matter you 
then thought it to obtain those dominions which 
you have now subjugated and possess. I am 
well aware that you would have prayed for the 
accomplishment of what has now been done for 
you rather than for many times such a sum of 
money. 28. To me, then, it seems a greater dis- 
advantage, as well as a greater disgrace, not to 
retain this power than not to have acquired it ; 
just as it is more grievous to a man to become 
poor after being rich than never to have been 
rich at all, and as it is more afflicting to appear 
as a private man after having been a king, than 
never to have been on a throne. 29. You are 
sensible, moreover, that those who have now be- 
come your subjects, have not submitted to be 
governed by you from any affection for you per- 
sonally, but from necessity, and that they would 
endeavour to make themselves free again, if there 
were no fear to restrain them. 30. Whether 
therefore do you think that they will be more 
under the restraint of fear, and act more sensibly 
for your interests, if they should see these troops 



320 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

so disposed towards you, as to be willing to stay- 
now if you request them, or soon to return again 
if it should be necessary, and find that others, 
hearing many good accounts of you from these, 
are ready to join you at once whenever you 
wish ; or if they should form an unfavourable 
opinion of you, and believe that no others will 
engage in your service through distrust arising 
from what has now happened, and that the 
Greeks are better affected towards your new sub- 
jects than yourself ? 31. These people, besides, 
did not submit to you because they were inferior 
in number to us, but because they wanted lead- 
ers. It is now a matter of apprehension, then, 
that they may choose some of our men, who think 
themselves wronged by you, or the Lacedaemo- 
nians, who are still more powerful than they, as 
leaders, especially if, on the one hand, our 
soldiers promise to serve the Lacedaemonians 
with greater alacrity, on condition that they 
exact what is due to them from you, and the 
Lacedaemonians, on the other, assent to this con- 
dition from the need which they have of our 
army. 32. That the Thracians who have just 
become subject to you, would march against you 
much more willingly than with you, is indisput- 
able ; for, while you hold the mastery, servitude 
is their lot, but, if you are conquered, freedom. 

33. u If, again, it be your business to take 
forethought for the country, as being your own 
property, whether you do think that it would be 
less exposed to harm, if these soldiers, after hav- 
ing received from you what they claim, should 
go away leaving peace behind them, or if they 



CH. 7.] XENOPHON ADDRESSES SEUTHES. 321 

stay in the country as in that of an enemy, and 
you, with other soldiers more numerous than 
they, who will be constantly in want of provi- 
sions, proceed to take the field against them? 
34. Or whether will more money be expended 
by you, if what is due to the Greeks be paid, or 
if this be left due, and you have at the same time 
to take other troops, able to overcome them, into 
your service ? 

35. " But this sum, in the opinion of Heraclides, 
(as he expressed himself to me,) appears exces- 
sively large. It is doubtless, however, a much 
lighter matter for you either to receive or pay 
such a sum, than it was, before we joined you, 
to receive or pay the tenth part of it. 36. For 
it is not the actual amount that defines the much 
or the little, but the ability of him who has to 
pay or to receive. But your annual income is 
now greater than the whole of the property which 
you formerly possessed. 

37. u In these observations, O Seuthes, I have 
had regard to your interest as to that of a friend, 
in order that you may appear worthy of the ad- 
vantages which the gods have bestowed upon you, 
and that I, at the same time, may not lose all 
reputation with the army. 38. For be assured, 
that if I now wished to do harm to an enemy, I 
should not be able to effect it with these troops, 
and that, if I desired again to give assistance to 
you, I should not be in a condition to do so; 
such is the feeliug of the army towards me. 
39. Yet I call both you yourself, and the gods 
who know the truth, to witness, that I have 
neither received anything from you on account 



322 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

of the soldiers, nor have I ever asked of you, for 
my own private use, what was due to them, nor 
have I claimed what you promised me. 40. I 
also swear to you, that, even though you had 
offered to pay me, I would not have received any- 
thing from you, unless the soldiers had been at 
the same time to receive what was due to them ; 
for it would have been disgraceful in me to have 
settled my own business, and to have allowed 
theirs to continue in an unsatisfactory condition, 
especially when I had received honour from them. 

41. " To Heraclides, however, everything seems 
a trifle, in comparison with the acquirement of 
money by whatever means. But I, O Seuthes, 
think no possession more honourable or more 
glorious to a man than that of virtue, and jus- 
tice, and generosity. 42. He that has these 
qualities^ is rich in the numerous friends that he 
has, and rich in the good-will of numbers that 
wish to become his friends ; if he is prosperous, 
he has associates ready to rejoice with him ; if 
he meets with a reverse of fortune, he is not in 
want of people to lend him aid. 

43. " If you have neither understood from my 
actions that I am a friend to you at heart, nor 
are able to discover it from my words, yet con- 
sider, by all means, the expressions of the 
soldiers concerning me; for you were present 
and heard what those said who sought to asperse 
me. 44. They accused me to the Lacedaemoni- 
ans of regarding you more than them; they also 
charged me with taking more care that your 
affairs might prosper than their own ; and they 
added, that I had received presents from you. 



CH. 7.] XENOPHON REFUSES TO STAY. 323 

45. Whether, then, do you think that they 
accused me of having received those presents 
from you, because they saw in me some ill-will 
towards you, or because they observed in me a 
great zeal for your good? 46. I consider, in- 
deed, that all men are of opinion that gratitude 
ought to be cherished towards him from whom 
they have received favours. You, before I did 
you any service, entertained me favourably with 
looks, and words, and demonstrations of hospi- 
tality, and were never satisfied with promising 
how great rewards should be mine ; and now, 
when you have accomplished what you desired, 
and have become as great as I could assist you 
to become, have you the heart to allow me to be 
thus dishonoured among the soldiers ? 47. I 
have nevertheless confidence that time will yet 
teach you to resolve to pay, and that you, of 
yourself, will not endure to see those who freely 
did you service, loading you with reproaches. I 
entreat you, then, when you make the payment, 
to study to leave me in as much credit with the 
army as you found me." 

48. Seuthes, on hearing this address, uttered 
imprecations on the man who had been the cause 
that the debt was not discharged loner before ; 
(and every one surmised that Heraclides was 
meant;) "for," said he, "I never meant to de- 
prive the men of their pay, and will now give it 
to them." 49. Xenophon then said again, 
" Since therefore you are resolved to pay, I now 
beg you to make the payment through me, and 
not to suffer me, on your account, to bear a 
different character with the army from that 



324 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

which I bore when we came to you." 50. Seu- 
thes replied, "You shall not lose more credit 
with the army by my means ; and if you will 
stay with me with only a thousand heavy-armed 
men, I will give you the fortresses, and every- 
thing else that I promised." 51. " It cannot be 
so," rejoined Xenophon ; " let us therefore de- 
part." " Yet I know," replied Seuthes, " that 
it will be safer for you to remain with me than 
to go away." 52. " I commend your care of 
me," rejoined Xenophon, " but it is impossible 
for me to stay ; yet be assured that wherever I 
receive greater honour, there will be good 
attendant on it for you." 53. Seuthes then 
said, u I have but very little money, and that I 
give you, one talent ; but I have six hundred 
oxen, four thousand sheep, and a hundred and 
twenty slaves ; take these, and the hostages 
from those who were treacherous to you, and 
depart." 54. "And if these," said Xenophon, 
laughing, " are not sufficient to make up the 
pay, for whom shall I say that I have the talent ? 
Will it not be better for me, since danger threat- 
ens me, to secure myself against stoning by tak- 
ing my departure ? You heard the threats." 
The remainder of that day they continued there. 
55. The next day Seuthes delivered to them 
the cattle he had promised, and sent men with 
them to drive them. The soldiers, in the mean 
time, began to say that Xenophon was gone to 
Seuthes to live with him, and to receive what 
Seuthes had promised him; but when they saw 
him returning, they were rejoiced, and ran to 
meet him. 56. As soon as Xenophon saw Char- 



CH. 8.] GREEKS PASS TO LAMPSACUS. 325 

minus and Polynicus, he said, " This property 
has been saved for the army through your influ- 
ence ; I deliver it to you ; dispose of it, and 
divide the proceeds among the soldiers." The 
Lacedaemonians accordingly received the cattle, 
and, appointing salesmen, sold it, and incurred 
much blame. 57. As for Xenophon, he took no 
part in the proceeding, but openly prepared to 
return home ; for a vote of banishment had not 
yet been passed against him at Athens. But his 
friends in the camp came to him, and begged him 
not to desert them until he had led off the army 
and delivered it to Thibron. 



CHAPTER VIII. v 

The Greeks pass over to Lampsacus. Xenophon, having re- 
ceived no pay, is obliged to sell his horse. He sacrifices to 
Jupiter Meilichius. The Greeks arrive at Pergamus. Xen- 
ophon is prevailed upon to attack Asidates, a Persian noble- 
man, and at length takes him prisoner, with a great quantity 
of booty, of which he receives a considerable share. He de- 
livers the army into the hands of Thibron, to be incorpo- 
rated with the forces assembled against Tissaphernes. 

l. From hence they sailed across to Lamp- 
sacus, when Euclides the augur, a native of 
Phlius, the son of Cleagoras, who wrote The 
Dreams in the Lyceum, came to meet Xeno- 
phon. He congratulated Xenophon on having 
returned safe, and asked him how much gold he 
had. 2. Xenophon assured him, with an oath, 
that he should not have enough for his expenses 
in travelling home, unless he sold his horse, and 
what he had about him. Euclides did not 
believe him. 3. But after the people of Lamp- 



326 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

sacus had sent presents to Xenophon, and Xeno- 
phon was proceeding to sacrifice to Apollo, he 
made Euclides stand beside him at the time, 
who, on inspecting the victims, said that he was 
now convinced he had no money. . " But I 
observe," added he, " that even if money should 
ever be likely to come to you, there will be 
some obstacle, and, if no other, that you will be 
an obstacle to yourself." Xenophon assented 
to the justice of the observation. 4. "Jupiter 
Meilichius, however," said Euclides, "is an 
obstacle in your way ; " and then asked whether 
he had ever sacrificed to that god, "as I was 
accustomed," continued he, "to sacrifice and 
offer holocausts for you at home." Xenophon 
replied, that since he had left home he had not 
sacrificed to that deity. Euclides then advised 
him to sacrifice as he had been used to do, and 
said that it would be for his advantage. 5. Next 
day, Xenophon, going on to Ophrynium, offered 
a sacrifice, burning whole hogs after the custom 
of his country, and found the omens favourable. 

6. The same day Biton and Euclides came to 
bring pay for the army. These men were 
hospitably entertained by Xenophon, and having 
repurchased his horse, which he had sold at 
Lampsacus for fifty darics, (as they suspected 
that he had parted with it from necessity, for 
they had heard that he was fond of the horse,) 
they restored it to him, and would not receive 
from him the price of it. 

7. Hence they advanced through Troas, and, 
passing over Ida, came first to Antandrus ; then, 
proceeding along by the sea, they arrived at the 



CH. 8.] ATTACK UPON ASIDATES. 327 

plain of Thebe in Lydia. 8. Marching from 
hence through Atramyttium and Certorium, by 
Atarneus, to the plain of the Caicus, they reached 
Pergamus in Mysia. 

Here Xenophon was hospitably received by 
Hellas the wife of Gongylus of Eretria, and 
mother of Gorgion and Gongylus. 9. She told 
him that Asidates, a Persian, resided in the plain, 
and said that if he would attack him in the night 
with three hundred men, he might take him, with 
his wife and children, and his wealth, which was 
considerable. 10. To guide him in the enterprise 
she sent her own cousin, and a man named 
Daphnagoras, whom she greatly esteemed ; and 
Xenophon, having these with him, offered sacri- 
fice. Basias, an augur from Elis, who was pres- 
ent, said that the omens were extremely favour- 
able, and that the man might easily be captured. 
11. After supper, accordingly, he set out, taking 
with him such of the captains as were most 
attached to him, and had constantly been his 
friends, in order that he might do them a service. 
Others also came to join the party, forcing them- 
selves upon him, to the number of six hundred ; 
but the captains sent them back, that they might 
not have to give thejn any portion of the booty, 
which they regarded as ready to their hands. 

12. When they came to the place, about mid- 
night, the slaves that were about the castle, and 
the greater part of the cattle, escaped them, as 
they neglected these in order that they might 
capture Asidates himself and his riches. 13. But 
as they were unable to take the building by 
assault, (for it was high and large, and had 



328 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [b. VII. 

battlements, and many brave men to defend it ") 
they proceeded to dig a passage into it. 14. The 
wall was eight bricks of earth thick; but a 
breach was made in it by day-break; and the 
moment an opening appeared, some one from 
within pierced the thigh of the man that was 
nearest him through with an ox-spit; and after- 
wards^ by shooting showers of arrows, they ren- 
dered , t unsafe even to approach. 15 . As they 
uttered loud cries, too, and made signals with 
torches, Itabebus, with his force, came to their 
assistance, as well as some Assyrian heavy-armed 
men, and about eighty Hyrcanian cavalry, who 
were in the king's pay, from Comania; and other 
troops, lightly armed, to the number of eidit 
hundred, with cavalry, some from Parthenium, 
a arts° A P°Uonia and the neighbouring 

16. It was now time for the Greeks to con- 
sider how they should retreat; and, taking what 
oxen and sheep were at hand, they drove them 
off, placing them with the slaves, within a hollow 
square not so much because they were anxious 
about the booty, but lest, if they went off and 
iett it, their retreat might appear like a flight 
and the enemy might thus be rendered bolder 
and their own men more dispirited; whereas 
they now retired as if resolved to defend their 
capture. 17. But when Gongylus observed that 
the Greeks were but few, and those who hm )f r 
upon their rear were numerous, he sallied forth 
himself against the will of his mother, at the 
head of his own force, wishing to take a share in 
the action ; Procles also, and Teuthranias, a de- 



CH. 8.] CAPTURE OF ASIDATES. 329 

scendant of Damaratus, came to his support from 
Halisarne. 18. Xenophon and his party, as they 
were sorely harassed by the enemy's arrows and 
slings, and as they marched in a circle to hold 
their shields as a defence against the missiles, 
got with great difficulty across the river Caicus, 
nearly half of them being wounded. 19. On this 
occasion Agasias the Stymphalian, one of the 
captains, was wounded, after making head the 
whole time against the enemy. But they at last 
came off safe, with about two hundred slaves, 
and cattle enough for sacrifice. 

20. On the following day Xenophon offered 
sacrifice, and led out his whole force in the night, 
with a design to go as far as possible into Lydia, 
in order that the Persian might not be in fear 
from his proximity, but be thrown off his guard. 

21. But Asidates, hearing that Xenophon had 
again sacrificed with a view to an attack upon 
him, and that he would return with all his 
strength, went out to encamp in some villages 
lying close under the little town of Parthenium. 

22. Here Xenophon and his troop came round 
upon him, and captured himself, his wife and 
children, his horses, and all his property ; and 
thus the omens of the first sacrifice were verified. 

23. They then marched back to Pergamus; 
and here Xenophon had no cause to complain of 
the god ; for the Lacedaemonians, the captains, 
the rest of the generals, and the soldiers, all 
agreed that he should receive select portions of 
the spoil, consisting of horses, oxen, and other 
things ; so that he was now able even to serve a 
friend. 



330 THE EXPEDITION OF CYRUS. [fi. VII. 

24. Soon after, Tliibron arrived and took 
charge of the army, and, uniting it with the rest 
of the Greek force, proceeded to make war upon 
Tissaphernes and Pharnabazus. 

25. The governors of the king's country, as 
much of it as we went through, were these : 
of Lydia, Artemas ; of Phrygia, Artacamas ; 
of Lycaonia and Cappadocia, Mithridates ; of 
Cilicia, Syennesis ; of Phoenicia and Arabia, 
Dernes ; of Syria and Assyria, Belesys ; of 
Babylon, Rhoparas ; of Media, Arbacas ; of the 
Phasiani and Hesperitae, Tiribazus ; (the Car- 
duchi, the Chalybes, the Chaldeans, the Macro- 
nes, the Colchians, the Mossynosci, the Costas, 
and the Tibareni, were independent nations ;) of 
Paphlagonia, Corylas ; of the Bithynians, Phar- 
nabazus ; and of the Thracians in Europe, 
Seuthes. 

26. The computation of the whole journey, the 
ascent and descent, was two hundred and fifteen 
days' march, one thousand one hundred and 
fifty-five parasangs, thirty-four thousand six 
hundred and fifty stadia.. The length of time 
occupied in the ascent and descent was one year 
and three months. 



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